by Eric Buckingham

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

What is acid reflux?

Whenever a person swallows their food it travels down their esophagus and enters the stomach. Before going into the stomach the body produces acid and enzymes like pepsin to help breakdown the starch, protein, and fat found in the food. When this acid gets backed up it cause the acid reflux.

Causes of Acid reflux.

The main cause of this illness is poor diet and lifestyle. If you consume a large acidic meal then chances are you will have the symptoms. If you bend, lift or lie down directly after your meal you are increasing your chances drastically of getting acid reflux. A less common cause for acid reflux is when the LES muscles located at the end of your esophagus do not close all the way. Eating or snacking before bed is another way to provoke acid reflux. Almost half of all Americans have or suffer from acid reflux. Obesity is a huge risk factor as well for acid reflux.

Symptoms.

After eating you may feel some slight discomfort and pain in your upper abdomen, and feeling sick are the most common symptoms of acid reflux. Some other symptoms include soar throat, frequent hiccups, and trouble swallowing are all symptoms of acid reflux.

Infants and acid reflux.

Just like us baby's have the LES muscles at the end of their esophagus and just like us they must eat and yes just like us they can get the backup of the acid and have acid reflux. This is most common in babies up to three months old and most are symptom free by the age of 1 to 1 . Symptoms can include vomiting or spitting up cranky and very irritable, lack of appetite or poor eating habits all together, and some can even have a little blood in there stool. Symptoms are almost always mild and are infrequent, but sometimes the symptoms can be severe and can mean serious complications in the baby's digestive track. Monitor all symptoms closely and discuss concerns with your child's pediatrician.

Treatment.

Treating acid reflux if it is minor can be as easy as getting it. Most people opt for the convenient over the counter medications such as Tums or pepcid AC. If your acid reflux is more severe the doctor can write you a prescription for a stronger medicine such as Nexium which is the most common drug prescribed for acid reflux. The best and easiest thing you can do for treating acid reflux is too monitor your diet well and live a healthy active lifestyle.

Preventing.

Eating healthy whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables is the best way to prevent acid reflux. Taking walks after meals and being active paired up side by side with the healthy diet will drastically cut your chances of having acid reflux.

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