What Causes Acid Reflux ?

If you have been experiencing discomfort after eating, or have noticed that certain foods make give you heartburn-like symptoms after you eat them, you may be suffering from acid reflux. Here is some information on what causes this problem, as well as reflux treatment methods you can take advantage of.

First, of all, you'll want to pay special attention to the things that you're eating if you think that you may have acid reflux--certain foods could make your condition flare up if you're not careful. Side effects like stomach pain, burning in the throat, and a feeling of indigestion could occur after consuming these foods, and your symptoms could get so severe that you will have to be on bed rest for a while if your acid reflux goes untreated.

Coffee and tea are two common drinks that could cause heartburn or acid reflux, so if you have a cup of coffee in the morning, or a cup of tea at night before bed, you may want to eliminate these drinks from your diet and observe your health. The reason coffee and tea can cause reflux is due to the caffeine content; too much caffeine in some people's systems can cause the contents of the stomach to resurface in the esophagus.

Tomatoes and tomato sauces could also be causing you to have acid reflux, so if you like Italian or Latin foods, you may want to cut down on your consumption and see if you feel better. In some people, when you eat tomatoes, the lower esophageal sphincter, or the LES, is relaxed in the body, which makes it more difficult for you to digest and swallow your food. The food will settle there, and you may suddenly feel very tired, and could get headaches and pressure in the limbs.

We all to stay away from fatty foods because they are not very healthy, but these foods could also be causing you to experience acid reflux. It takes your body longer to digest fried foods, which means they settle in your stomach and cause discomfort for a longer period of time. So, steer clear of fast food restaurants, and if you're cooking at home, be sure to bake or broil your meat or potatoes in order to cut down on the fat content and keep the strength of your LES intact.

If you want to know more about acid reflux, or think you may have some of the symptoms and want to get help, you should talk to your doctor about the best medication alternatives for you based on your health. You can also try natural supplements such as flax seed or fish oil to help you digest your food, and to reduce the headaches and discomfort associated with acid reflux.