worldwide. It is caused by stomach acid splashing up into the
esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a ring-like
valve at the bottom of the esophagus. It opens to allow food to
enter the stomach and then closes to keep it there. When the LES
becomes damaged and, or relaxed, stomach fluids are refluxed up
into the esophagus and throat. The hydrochloric acid in this
fluid has been compared to the corrosive acid in a common car
battery.
It is important to remember why this condition usually exists in
the first place. In most cases it is due to a damaged esophagus
and LES. These can easily be scratched by eating foods with
jagged edges like corn chips or crackers. Even crusty bread
which has not been chewed properly can cause this type of damage.
These little lacerations can then be irritated by acidic foods
which are spicy or fried. Before you know it, you have a full
fledged case of acid reflux. Once this cycle begins, it is not
that easy to stop.
Let the esophagus heal by not eating the same foods in the same
manner that caused the damage in the first place. Losing
weight, exercising, chewing properly, drinking sufficient amounts
of water and eating in a pleasant atmosphere are all simple
things that anyone can do to improve this condition.
There are also many natural ingredients found in any grocery
market or health food store, which can help during the acid
reflux recovery period. Herbs, like slippery elm and marshmallow
have wonderful healing properties. Aloe vera juice, licorice and
natural honey can sooth the esophagus and assist in the healing
process.
By eating dinner at least three hours before retiring, one can
drastically reduce the chances of acid reflux. Chewing gum
between meals actually reduces stomach acid. Saliva is extremely
alkaline in nature and chewing stimulates its production causing
the system to be more alkaline.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Forget the "Three Big Meals"
we have been taught to indulge in. Try eating four or five
little meals each day. Start the day with Kukicha Twig tea
instead of acidic coffee. This tea has been used for hundreds of
years to make the body more alkaline. For breakfast, banish that
cereal and instead eat fruit, like bananas and melons. Have
several snacks of walnuts, almonds and more fruit during the day.
For lunch have a salad, made with grilled chicken breasts, or
tofu, mixed with hearts of romaine tossed with a little lemon
juice and olive oil. Lemon juice is preferable to vinegar, as it
is more alkaline in nature.
During this reflux recovery period, eating anything which could
irritate or damage the esophagus must be avoided. Until the
lacerations have had a chance to heal, spicy foods, such as
acidic tomato products, hot peppers, raw garlic and raw onions
should be eliminated from the diet. They just further irritate
the condition. Eating chocolate, smoking and drinking alcohol
relax the LES, allowing stomach acid to splash up into the
esophagus, thus impeding the healing process.
The key to acid reflux recovery is to eat only mild, easy to
digest food until the esophagus has healed. Eat early and
slowly, chewing your food completely. Last, but not least, try
to eat in a relaxed, pleasant and stress free environment.
There are many things one can do to improve the chances for
success in defeating acid reflux. The choices in behavior that
we make like exercising, losing weight, wearing loose clothing,
eating and chewing properly and avoiding carbonated drinks are
all very important. There is still another very potent technique
for managing this condition. It is called meditation.
Meditation has the power to eliminate any unpleasant side affect
of our stressful lives, including acid reflux. Try this out; in
a quiet place, sit erect with your hands at your side and take a
long deep breath. Close your eyes and look up toward the space
between the eyebrows, without straining. Continue to breathe
deeply. You will soon find yourself in a very relaxed state with
no particular thoughts in mind. Now visualize yourself eating
beautiful food slowly and carefully. See your mouth, throat,
esophagus, LES and stomach all pink, young and perfect. Feel all
the parts of your body working in complete harmony. Look at
yourself. You are smiling. You are enjoying perfect health.
I promise you that if you did this exercise at least once a day,
your acid reflux would go into remission. With these little
changes in food choices and lifestyle and a few natural
supplements thrown into the mix, anyone can accomplish acid
reflux recovery.
(c) 2006 Wind Publishing
------------
Charles Stewart Richey resides in Pike County, PA.
Mr. Richey is a self-educated expert on how to cure acid reflux
disease, by natural means and has written an extensive report
entitled, "REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux Remedies".
He explains how the proper application of herbs, health store
items, meditation, diet and exercise can heal acid reflux,
gerd and heartburn, without the use of drugs.
For information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way,
go to: http://www.refluxgo
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