Acid reflux - that burning, bitter sensation in your throat and chest is a common problem today, in fact nearly half of all Americans suffer from it at one time or another! The symptoms can range from a mild annoyance to severe pains that make you feel like you are having a heart attack. Commonly, they include chest pain, burning in the throat, a bitter taste in the back of the throat, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing.

What Causes Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux otherwise know as Gastroesophageal reflux disease or simply GERD is just as the name implies - acid from the stomach refluxing back up into the esophagus. There is a muscular valve in between the esophagus and the stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter or (LES) which prevents food and acid from coming up into the esophagus from the stomach. Sometimes, however, this muscle relaxes, opening up and causing acid and food to wash back up into the esophagus.

This can actually become rather serious as it can cause esophageal ulcers and bleeding, as wall as narrowing of the esophagus.

How Is Acid Reflux Treated?

There are many medical and natural treatments for acid reflux and you should discuss which ones are appropriate for you with your health care professional. Treatments range from lifestyle changes to medicines to surgery.

Anti-reflux operations can be performed to help improve the barrier between the esophagus and stomach.

Drugs can be used to reduce the amount of acid that is produced, thus reducing the symptoms of acid reflux.

Natural remedies can be used in the form of herbs, teas and spices.

But perhaps the best treatments are lifestyle and dietary changes. Certainly these are the safest as they don’t cause any ill side effects and most recommended changes are good for other aspects of your health as well.

One thing you need to do to reduce acid reflux symptoms is to figure out what your trigger foods are. Typically these will be fatty or spicy foods but can also be caffeinated beverages, carbonated beverages, chocolate, potatoes and tomato based foods. You can figure this out by writing down everything you eat and noting if it causes acid reflux. Eliminating the trigger foods from your diet can make a big difference.

Some other ways you can alleviate acid reflux symptoms is to avoid wearing loose clothing, don’t lie down until several hours after you eat, avoid alcohol, don’t eat large fatty meals, drink lots of water and avoid stress.