Acid reflux is a common health condition but because it is characterized by recurring pain and discomfort, people often want a quick remedy.
If you're one of the many around the world, read this article to know how to assess and deal with acid reflux pain.
Causes Of Acid Reflux Symptoms Acid reflux is basically a condition in which acid from the stomach travels up to the esophagus, therefore posing a risk for esophageal damage.
Pain can be felt in the throat, center of the chest behind the breastbone, or abdomen.
There are several causes to the pain and these include certain foods, stress, and gastrointestinal problems.
Foods - Certain foods can cause heartburn symptoms, as they can be highly acidic.
For instance, citrus fruits like lemons and oranges are already very acidic in nature and so add to the accumulation of acid in your stomach.
Furthermore, fatty foods make it hard for your stomach to digest, and so the stomach reacts by producing more acid.
Eating Habits - It's not simply the certain foods you eat that cause acid reflux, it's also your eating habits.
Eating heavy meals a few times in one day can cause acid to build up during the long hours before each meal.
You should therefore reduce portions while eating more frequently throughout each day.
You should also avoid eating right before bedtime as lying down encourages acid to slide up into the esophagus.
On the other hand, chest pains may occur if you have gastrointestinal problems caused by acid reflux.
These can cause pain that resemble hear pains that make some sufferers think they're experiencing a heart attach.
Because acid can reflux into the esophagus, the areas around the esophagus such as the breastbone can also be affected.
Chest pains are often treated with antacids.
How To Identify Pain Caused By Acid Reflux If you have the condition, you may experience epigastric cramping, soreness in the abdomen/upper abdominal pain, stomachache, heartburn, sore throat, painful coughing, and chest pain.
If you also find yourself waking up in the middle of the night because of pain or experiencing pain every time you bend your body and lie down, you are most likely to have acid reflux.
Conventional Treatment For Pain From Acid Reflux Antacids - Conventional treatment for acid reflux symptoms usually involves antacids and acid reducers.
Antacids are mainly used to neutralize acids in your stomach and can often treat symptoms fast.
On the other hand, acid reducers like H2 blockers are mainly used to weaken the actual source of acid production in the stomach, but may take longer to relieve pain compared to antacids.
However, both antacids and acid reducers may be prescribed as a combination treatment for fast and effective relief.
Natural Treatment For Pain From Acid Reflux There are also natural treatments available that are just as effective in relieving acid reflux pain.
These include special diets (i.
e.
: alkaline diets), avoiding acidic foods, and light exercises.
Special diets often utilize alkaline foods to counteract with the excess acid that's "eating away" your stomach.
Sometimes, simply avoiding acidic foods can ease the discomfort.
Doctors may also recommend some light exercises to make it hard for acid to travel to the esophagus.
Sometimes, certain treatments may not relieve acid reflux pain or may take longer to take effect.
The point here is really to treat symptoms and the condition itself.
For instance, there is treatment that reduces pain as well as heals damage caused by the acid.
Speak with your doctor before taking any treatment.