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Somethings You Ought To Know About Acid Reflux Disease

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Health & Fitness - Diet

Written by Bart R

Tuesday, 11 March 2008

When your doctor is talking about GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), you will more commonly know it as acid reflux disease. This particular health problem is caused by the leaking of liquid formed in the stomach after food has been digested back up in to a person's esophagus.

by BartR

If this particular condition is left untreated, it can lead to other health issues for the sufferer. The first of which can result in damage to the esophageal lining and this in turn results in it becoming inflamed.

The main reason for the lining becoming damaged is that the liquid, which has been regurgitated from the stomach, contains acid along with an enzyme known as pepsin. It is this enzyme that helps to break down the proteins in the food that you eat so your body is able to absorb them more easily and they therefore contain caustic properties. Although the pepsin's can cause damage it is commonly believed that the main culprit for the discomfort and pain felt with acid reflux is the acid contained in the liquid that has been regurgitated.

Most people are likely to suffer from very mild forms of this kind of condition, which is commonly referred to heartburn, but for others the problem can be extremely severe. The problem for these people is that they will then need to learn how to deal and cope with the acid reflux for the rest of their lives. In some cases, it may well mean that they need to take some for of medication in order to help keep the problem under control constantly.

Some people find that the symptoms that are associated with this particular stomach condition are far more prevalent at night than they are during the day. The reason for this is that during the day when a person is stood up or sat down the regurgitated liquid can easily flow back down into their stomach. Plus when we are awake, we swallow regularly and this can further help to force the regurgitated liquid back down into the stomach.

Another reason for why certain people may suffer more from acid reflux at night rather than in the day is because the levels of saliva they are producing are reduced as they sleep. In the saliva, that your mouth produces is bicarbonate and this when it travels down the esophagus helps to neutralize any acids that are in it.

A person who suffers from acid reflux disease may find that the problem becomes worse at night because, firstly their body is actually unable to eliminate the liquid that has been brought up in the first place. Secondly, we swallow less at night and so the amount of saliva containing bicarbonate is reduced as well. Certainly if a person does not take any kind of medication prior to going to bed, they will find that the regurgitated liquid from the stomach is able to settle in the esophagus for much longer and so end causing damage to the lining.

As mentioned anyone is susceptible to suffering from acid reflux disease, however there are certain people who are more prone to it that others. Some women when they become pregnant will find that in the latter stages of their pregnancy may well suffer from this condition. Also, people who are overweight or obese are also likely to suffer with this particular stomach complaint as well.

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Would you like to discover more about acid reflux disease? If the answer to this question is yes here at Acid Reflux Cure Info you will be able to find anything you need to know about this particular stomach disorder.