A recent Poll in the US reported that 44% of Americans suffered from acid reflux symptoms, so if you have acid reflux disease then you are not alone. The symptoms can range from mild heartburn and a sour taste in the back of the throat to a severe pain that is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack. These symptoms vary in degree of severity from person to person, but acid reflux should not be ignored as it can be this sign of more troubling disease.

The symptoms of acid reflux are caused by stomach acids splashing up into the esophagus. The esophagus and stomach play a key role in the digestive process. When you eat, the food goes through the esophagus into the stomach. There is a little valve or gate between the stomach and esophagus that allows food into the stomach but blocks it from coming back up. In some people or after you eat some foods, however this gate does not function properly thus allowing the stomach acids to wash back up and causing the Acid Reflux symptoms that make us feel so uncomfortable.

Some people don’t experience symptoms all the time or even notice it at all, but if you are hoarse or have trouble talking first thing in the morning, you may be an acid reflux sufferer. Night time acid reflux, sometimes called silent acid reflux, can cause you to sleep poorly and even cause sleep apnea. If you have nighttime acid reflux you might try to avoid eating or drinking for 4 hours before bedtime.

Ignoring your acid reflux symptoms can be very dangerous as severe complications can arise from not dealing with this condition. Overtime, the acids can do severe damage to the esophagus so it is best to consult your doctor at the first sign of acid reflux. This does not mean that you will have to have extensive testing but your doctor will be able to examine you and recommend a course of action to prevent further damage and alleviate your symptoms. There are many acid reflux treatment plans but once your diagnosis is complete, treatment will typically start with proton pump inhibitor drugs which help lessen the pumping of the acids.

Some people choose to avoid prescription drugs and may seek relief with herbal remedies. These remedies when used in combination with lifestyle and dietary changes can be very effective. One should try to avoid fatty and fried foods as well as alcohol, tea and coffee. Taking some time to write down what you eat before symptoms appear can help you identify trigger foods that you will need to avoid. Some foods that typically cause reflux events include chocolate drinks, spicy foods, citrus fruit, fried food, onions, garlic, mint, and foods with tomatoes in them such as pasta and pizza sauces.

Other acid reflux symptoms include trouble swallowing, bloating, hoarseness, feeling full, nausea, persistent cough, and wearing of enamel on the teeth. Acid reflux can affect your quality of life, but with a little bit of work and some lifestyle changes you can banish those burning symptoms for good!