Causes Of Heartburn, A Symptom Of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a condition that is caused by the malfunctioning of the lower esophageal sphincter. The sphincter, also called a valve, malfunctions when there is either excess or below normal production of digestion inducing acids in the stomach. The acid tends to move up through the valve into the esophagus resulting in a burning sensation in the chest area and throat, popularly called heartburn.
Many factors contribute to acid reflux. One of them is excess consumption of salt. While smoking and consumption of alcohol aggravate acid reflux, salt can very often be the cause for it apart from aggravating the disease if already present. Swedish researchers have found that abnormal consumption of table salt increases the risk factor of acid reflux by 70%. This has also been confirmed by a study by Dr. Roshini Rajapaksha of New York University Medical Center. This new finding is alarming in that the common table salt is a bigger contributor to acid reflux than smoking and consumption of alcohol.
Acid reflux is a painful condition and apart from the disease itself, persistent heartburn is a nagging condition. If one experiences heartburn occasionally, there is no need for alarm as it is quite normal. If however, one feels it more than three times a week, it is time to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. There are also cases of people not manifesting heartburn, but who suffer from acid reflux nevertheless.
Acid reflux manifests itself in the form of hoarseness in the throat, especially in the mornings, difficulty in swallowing, choking sensation when swallowing food, persistent dry cough and bad breath. These are some of the more common symptoms, and there are more. The sufferer, who can then take remedial action, can observe these symptoms.
The disease can however be medically treated. Depending on the frequency of the attacks and the severity of the discomfort, further tests may have to be undergone to find the root cause and the extent to which the damage has already been done. After such tests, based on the findings, the doctor can prescribe a course of action to treat the malady.
Healthy living through proper diet, eating habits and regular exercise besides moderation in the consumption of caffeinated beverages, abstinence from smoking and alcohol, can prevent acid reflux from assuming unmanageable proportions. This is the natural way to treat any illness and acid reflux is not exception.
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