What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux can become a major health issue when it affects other parts of the body. For example, gastric acid that often comes up to esophageal region can irritate the throat. Acid reflux disease can cause cellular erosion of the throat, destroying cells that line the upper gastrointestinal tract. This irritation, if not prevented by digestion aids, can cause hoarseness and laryngitis. For others, frequent reflux of gastric acid to the throat increases the chances of bacterial infections and would urgently need treatment for better digestion.
It is important to understand the acid reflux disease is not simply caused by the type of food we eat, but by a motor dysfunction of certain parts of the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter is the upper band of the stomach that is usually tightened in order to prevent the contents of the stomach from spilling out. In acid reflux disease, this sphincter has lost control and thus remains widened and thus lets out the gastric out, often reaching the throat area where we could taste the gastric acid and food that we recently consumed. Digestion aids such as medications targeting the sphincter to tighten again can alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux.
Acid Reflux Can Cause More Problems Than You Think
According to a recent medical report, acid reflux disease can cause several medical conditions that could become severe if left untreated. Certain cases of this gastric acid problem have now been associated asthma and other respiratory problems. Studies have shown that the dysfunction observed in the gastric sphincter can also affect the airway pathways, resulting in difficulty in breathing. In addition, anti-asthma medications have also been prescribed for patients suffering from acid reflux disease in order to aid in better digestion and prevent worsening of the condition.
Chest pain has also been related to acid reflux disease, mainly due to the presence of gastric acid in the sphincter that is positioned next to the area where the heart is located. Physicians have prescribed digestion aids that specifically target the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing this region of the stomach to gain function and prevent gastric acids from spilling out. These drugs, including beta-blockers and antacids, aid in better digestion by helping the lower esophageal sphincter in performing its duty in keeping the contents of the stomach in its right place. Chest pain caused by acid reflux disease can sometimes become confusing especially when an individual thinks that he or she is suffering from a heart attack. It is important to seek medical attention in order to determine the actual cause of the pain in the chest.
Better Digestion Starts Here
Based on the severity of conditions that are related to acid reflux disease, it is important to identify digestion aids that could result in better digestion. One common recommendation given by physicians is to refrain from consuming acidic food items, including pizza, coffee, and soft drinks because these can further aggravate the production of gastric acids. It is also helpful to include fruits and vegetable in daily meals because these natural digestion aids can help in achieving better digestion. Researchers are now also looking into the use of herbal supplements as digestion aids for better digestion.