This is the movement of acid and sometimes fluid up the esophagus.
This is as a result of a lot of acid in the stomach or/and a faulty esophageal sphincter.
Acid specifically, hydrochloric acid is produced by the stomach lining to aid food digestion.
The stomach is protected by a mucus membrane from the effects of the acid.
The esophagus does not have the mucus membrane and therefore gets corroded by the acid when it refluxes into it.
Causes of acid reflux are: overeating caffeinated beverages coffee, decaf or otherwise acidic, spicy, fatty and over processed foods.
Hiatus Hernia - This is the protrusion of the stomach into the thorax through a hole in the diaphragm.
This causes the esophageal sphincter to weaken thus increasing chances of acidreflux.
Symptoms of acidreflux are: Heartburn - burning pain the chest cavity.
Sometimes this pain can be so severe that one can think that they have a heart attack.
acidic taste in the stomach nausea and vomiting coughing.
Sometimes one may experience a lot of acid in the stomach.
Acid reflux is mostly a lifestyle condition.
If one modifies the eating habits, the symptoms may disappear.
The condition is prevalent in people who are obese, abuse alcohol, smokers, and pregnant women.
One should avoid the foods mentioned above.
Overeating should be avoided too.
After meals one should not lift weights or bend to reduce chances of acidreflux occurring.
Food should be taken a few hours before bedtime to decrease chances of an attack.
You can use an acidreflux pillow at night to reduce reflux during bedtime.
Ordinary pillows worsen the situation as u only elevate the head alone.
This causes the body to curve at the middle pushing stomach contents up.
Acid reflux medication can be taken with a doctor's prescription if quality of life is adversely affected.