SIGNS /SYMPTOMS of GERD

GERD is a chronic condition, so it is more serious than occasional heartburn.  While some patients experience symptoms less often, an effective treatment needs to be found to help the problem.  To find out if you are suffering from acid reflux GERD, you may experience pain in the middle of the chest, spreading into the neck.  Some sufferers mistake it for a heart attack the pain can be so intense.   This pain can last two or more hours.

The onset of gerd generally happens after eating, and lying down can make it worse.  Other symptoms include acid regurgitating into your mouth, a bitter taste, and a dry cough / hoarseness in the morning.  Children with acid reflux gerd may experience vomiting and other respiratory problems.

*For more information on signs and symptoms of acid reflux gerd, CLICK HERE!*

HOME TREATMENTS

Severe cases of acid reflux may need the attention of a doctor, but there are some simple steps that you can take at home to alleviate the symptoms or avoid the onset of reflux.  Once you have suffered through a bout of acid reflux, the adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure will become your mantra when eating.

Since the stomach can only handle a certain amount of food, eating smaller meals more often instead of one huge meal will help the stomach acid break food down at a reasonable rate instead of being forced up.  Don’t lie down right after eating, and avoid eating late at night.  As an added measure of help, raise the foot of the bed by six to eight inches with blocks to aid gravity in acid reflux relief.

Greasy and acidic food will trigger attacks.  Don’t eat cream or tomato based foods, fatty fried things, chocolate or caffeine.  Mints are also known to be problematic, as well as smoking and alcohol.  Find out what your specific triggers are and avoid those foods, or be prepared with an antacid nearby.

ANTACIDS

Taken ahead of time, antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach.  Best taken every few days, these will help with heartburn, but can cause side effects over a long period of time.  Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums are the popular brands.

A second type of antacid, known as H-2 blocker, also help with heartburn by preventing acid production.  Tagament, Pepcid, and Zantac fall into this category.  These work best one hour before meals, since they don’t affect acid already in the stomach, just the new production of acid.

If you suffer from severe acid reflux GERD and trying these steps at home does not relieve symptoms, your doctor can help. There are more invasive ways to treat your symptoms, and your doctor can determine if there is any damage or if surgery is necessary.  Good luck in finding relief!

Acid reflux hurts, it can make you throw up and acid reflux relief is sometimes far away. You have tried everything from antacids to milk and nothing helps. So what are you going to do? There has to be some relief in sight. Antacids can temporarily relieve heartburn or acid reflux, but there has to be a more permanent solution.

Acid Reflux Relief

One of the recommendations from medical specialists is to raise the head of your bed by 4 to 6 inches. This may help fight the gravity that disappears when you lie down. It may keep the contents of the stomach where they belong instead of allowing them to make their way to the esophagus thereby creating acid reflux.

Another solution for acid reflux relief may be to purchase an acid reflux pillow wedge. This is a special pillow that elevates your head. Working on basically the same principle of raising the head of your bed, this pillow will also help to keep gravity at bay and allow you to sleep more peacefully.

Still another solution for acid reflux relief may be losing weight. There are many doctors who will tell you, acid reflux is worse for those who are overweight. Excess baggage around the middle will definitely cause acid reflux by putting too much pressure on the stomach. Tight clothes or a belt that is too tight can also have the same effect.

*For more information on simple methods for relief from acid reflux, CLICK HERE!*

One of the culprits that will cause heartburn or acid reflux every time is chocolate. Avoid eating chocolate if you notice that you have an attack every time you eat this particular type of food. Chocolate ice cream can really cause it and although it is a favorite of many people, it is not worth the pain of acid reflux.

As those who suffer from heartburn will tell you, the frequency of heartburn is brought on by many things. From what you eat to exercising right after you eat, the least little thing can bring on an attack. There are prescribed medicines that can help. You should consult your doctor about treatment if it is becoming more than you can deal with and is occurring several times a week. Ignoring this problem will not make it go away and in time the chances of developing esophageal cancer increase if a treatment is not sought.

This is not to say that everyone that suffers from heartburn or acid reflux has a problem. If it is infrequent, more than likely it is just something you ate that did not agree with you.  But, for those of you seeking acid reflux relief, try a few of these tips.

The reason this happens more at night is you are lying in bed and the contents of the stomach are free to come right on up to the esophagus. There is no gravity for it to fight. There are doctors who have recommended elevating the head of your bed and sleeping on an acid reflux pillow wedge.

Acid reflux pillows elevate your head and your neck to restore the gravity that stomach contents have to fight to get to the esophagus.  They are a way of treating acid reflux naturally.

There are some made of foam and some are plastic wedges which are soft enough on which to sleep. The best ones are the inflatable type. This is because they can be adjusted to fit the person who will be using the pillow.

If you are a sufferer from acid reflux this may well be a solution for your night time pain and problems. They are used for other problems as well, but their main goal is to relieve the symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). This is why they are called acid reflux pillows.

The pillows can be found in many places. If you want to look online, simply put in the search term for the pillows and you should be able to find a variety available. They are also sold at other stores in your neighborhood. Drugstores are a good place to look as well as larger retail stores which carry a variety of items.

The price can vary from $20 to $100. This will depend upon where you purchase your pillow and what type of pillow you buy. If you suffer from acid reflux at least three times a week or more, you may want to check into this method of fighting the problem you are battling. Everyone has different ideas of what type of pillow may be comfortable so the one you choose should be of the right type of material for your needs.

While some people prefer the foam type, an inflatable one may work better for you. It can be inflated for raising your head and neck to just the right comfort level to prevent acid reflux but allow you to sleep comfortably. Many people find it difficult to sleep in this position but if you are suffering from acid reflux you are not sleeping anyway.

It will not hurt to give acid reflux pillows a try. Who knows? You may get the first good night’s sleep you have had in a long time.