Acid reflux is a gastro-esophageal reflux disease commonly referred to as simply GERD. This disease occurs when the sphincter located at the base of the esophagus fails to perform its job. When this sphincter fails to function properly, food that has traveled down through your esophagus and into your stomach reverses its flow. As a result, food and acid move back up into your esophagus and even into your mouth. This reverse flow process causes a burning sensation in your chest and throat. If you do not seek acid reflux treatment, your esophagus can experience long-term damage. Acid reflux treatments vary among individual sufferers. Changing your lifestyle usually is the initial step toward controlling the pain and discomfort caused by this disease. These lifestyle changes begin by avoiding foods known to trigger your symptoms. A number of foods cause acid reflux. However, it is likely there are foods that generate symptoms for you that have no impact on another sufferer. You should create a customized list of the foods you need avoid in order to control your acid reflux symptoms. Keep a diet journal This will help you create a more complete list of foods to eliminate from your lifestyle. In addition to being selective about what you eat, avoid eating too much. If you are overweight, losing those excess pounds will not doubt be advised as part of your acid reflux treatment plan. Another lifestyle change involves reassessing your sleeping habits. Lying flat exacerbates acid reflux symptoms. Raising your upper body about eight inches while you sleep can help you achieve a more restful night's sleep, due to the reduction or elimination of symptoms. Sometimes, even a complete lifestyle change just is not enough to counteract acid reflux. In this case, over-the-counter antacids may be the acid reflux treatment for you. If antacids do not provide the acid reflux relief you seek, you may need to resort to another acid reflux treatment option, prescription medication. If that is the case, it is imperative that you understand you will need to follow this acid reflux treatment habitually and indefinitely. If you are unable or unwilling to take the acid reflux medication faithfully or if this type of acid reflux treatment is ineffective, you have to turn to surgery. This surgery, done by laparoscopy, has been a successful acid reflux treatment option for many acid reflux patient. This particular acid reflux treatment is a procedure that strengthens the barrier between the esophagus and stomach, preventing acid reflux from occurring. Acid reflux is a painful and often serious disease that is easy to diagnose. Fortunately, the numbers of acid reflux treatments available also make it much easier to live with.
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