Regurgitation is the ascent to the mouth or pharynx of material from the stomach or esophagus. GERD can be asymptomatic without causing injury to any person.

Incidence of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux is common, and  7% of people have heartburn daily and 15% each month. 27% of people take antacids more than twice a month.

Most of these people have gastroesophageal reflux and half of these injuries esophagitis. In people older than 50 years it is more common.

GERD Symptoms

• Heartburn is the most common. It is a burning or stinging sensation behind the breastbone to the neck, most frequently with certain foods (fats, chocolate, alcohol, coffee and snuff).

• Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing food.

• Dry mouth.

• Dental infections more frequent.

• Chronic cough or asthma.

• Bleeding ulcers hidden in the esophageal mucosa.

GERD Causes

The causes of GERD are diverse in part due to:

• Relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter. Alteration of lower esophageal sphincter motility by altering various mediators.

• decreased esophageal clearance by:

1. Decreased esophageal peristaltic activity.

2. Increased salivation (more viscous and higher pH) cause Gastroesophageal Reflux as a defense mechanism. The snuff, decreases esophageal clearance, reduced salivation.

• The esophageal mucosa. It is not prepared to endure mucosa of the stomach acid, so it is easily damaged. Try to defend based on a more intense salivation.

• The motor activity of the stomach and delayed gastric emptying contribute to the gastroesophageal reflux.

• Other secondary causes of GERD include:

1. Pregnancy

2. Pyloric stenosis

3. Respiratory Diseases

4. Systemic diseases (collagenosis)

5. Hiatal hernia

In most cases the gastric reflux is due to the sum of some of the previous factors

GERD complications

If reflux is normal it may give heartburn, but if it gets worse can cause lesions of esophagitis. Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophageal mucosa, which if it persists over time can degenerates into precancerous lesions (esophagitis Barrett) and cancer.

Esophagitis may cause or be secondary to the hiatal hernia, which is the passage from one part of the stomach into the chest cavity through the diaphragm.

GERD Diagnosis

GERD can be diagnosticated with a radiological examination with contrast and taked in different positions, standing, lying and so on. To observe large movements of fluids between the intestinal cavity. Used to diagnose large outflows.

Another method is the gastroscopy examination by a cold light tube and vision in a monitor. It is used to observe the esophageal mucosal injury and the reflux itself.

To learn the characteristics of the reflux, studies of the esophageal Ph are conducted through 24 hours of monitoring.

GERD Treatment

• Changes in lifestyle, diet and weight reduction if overweight.

• Raise the head of the bed 3 to 8 cm.

• Dining or drinking any food 3 to 4 hours before sleeping or lying down.

• Avoiding certain foods that relax the lower esophageal sphincter, caffeine, alcohol, snuff, spices, mint, chocolate.

Medication

* Before taking medicine, it is good to try a natural therapy since the disease responds very well to changes in dietary habits and other healthy measures that you will learn in the book “heartburn no more“.

• In extreme cases surgery can be performed for uncontrolled symptoms or complications of Barrett’s esophagitis. Mainly trying to correct hernias (sliding) hiatus, returning the stomach to the abdominal cavity and closing the passage through the diaphragm so that does not happen again.

How to stop Heartburn

Sleep with your head up.
Sleep with your head up using a good pillow. By doing this, gravity will help keep the contents of your stomach where it should be. You can also place under the legs of the head of the bed blocks of four to six inches (10.16 cm -15.24 cm).

Avoid tight clothing or tight belts.
You also should avoid wearing tight clothing such as pants, stockings (panty hose) or tight belts (especially after eating), as it could put extra pressure and could make the acid go into the esophagus.

Avoid gaining fat in the stomach area because it can cause reflux. The same situation can occur when a woman is pregnant and, therefore, should ensure eating a proper diet.

Exercise is beneficial for heartburn.
People who exercise regularly rarely get acidity. Even mild exercise like walking daily can help relieve digestive problems. However, avoid exercise immediately after a meal.

Eat vegetables to help combat the acidity.
Some vegetables that relieve heartburn are: potatoes, boiled carrots cauliflower, and lettuce juice.

Avoid foods high in fat, food with high acid, and food seasoning.
Fats make the body produce a hormone that weakens the esophageal valve. This situation causes the acid to go up to the esophagus. As for the spices (especially pepper), the spices contribute to increased acid production. Also, avoid acidic foods like tomatoes or oranges.

No Smoking.
Nicotine irritates the esophageal valve both as the stomach lining. As a result, smokers tend to have more acidity.

Reduce intake of coffee.
Perhaps the problem is not the caffeine but the oils found in regular coffee and decaf. Therefore, it is recommended to decrease the consumption of coffee.

Avoid consumption of peppermint.
Although many people take peppermint tea and Yerba Buena without problems, to others, peppers can cause heartburn. For this reason, it is recommended that people suffering from heartburn avoid them. Try to avoid mints after lunch and see if it helps.

Reduce stress.
Emotional stress contributes to the production of fatty.

Avoid alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.
Alcohol can irritate the stomach, while soft drinks can cause bloating in the stomach. All this may contribute to cause reflux.

Review your pain.
Avoid aspirin because they contain a product that upset the stomach. It is better to use acetaminophen.

Eat small portions frequently.
Studies have shown that people who eat slowly and small meals frequently in a relaxed atmosphere can overcome heartburn.

Avoid sugar and chocolate.
This can cause stomach upset and heartburn.

Do not eat before bed.
Laying back just before eating allows stomach acid to flow more easily into the esophagus. It is best to eat three hours before bedtime.

See a doctor if heartburn symptoms persist.
If you notice that after applying all the remedies and recommendations mentioned above, the acidity continues, you should see a doctor, as it could be a symptom of serious disease such as hiatal hernia, esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (part of small intestine),

If you have had heartburn accompanied by any of the following symptoms then you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

• Difficult or painful swallowing
• Vomiting blood
• Stools with blood or very black
• Shortness of breath
• Vertigo
• Pain to the neck

First, it is important to distinguish between heartburn and stomach ulcers, which is a much more serious condition. In Heartburn the pain disappears by eating food, while with stomach ulcers the pain increases.

The causes of heartburn may be of nervous origin, which causes the stomach to secrete gastric acid as much as necessary, or can be caused by overeating, eating spicy foods or alcohol intake. It is characterized by causing a burning pain in the upper part of the abdomen.

Here we share some home remedies to combat heartburn, but remember to always consult with your doctor.

Heartburn Remedies that can change your life:

Heartburn Remedies # 1: Drink half a glass of papaya juice half an hour after eating to prevent burning.

Heartburn Remedies # 2: Eat every morning a bowl of oatmeal.

Heartburn Remedies # 3: Drink ¼ cup of water containing two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar 30 minutes after eating.

Heartburn Remedies # 4: Mix 2 tablespoons of licorice or ginger root and a half cup of water. Mix and boil for 10 minutes. Take before bedtime.

Heartburn Remedies # 5: Prepare a juice with 4 carrots and 2 lettuce leaves. Place ingredients in a blender with 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink it in the morning.

Heartburn Remedies # 6: Put 1 sprig of hemlock in a cup of boiling water. Cover and let it stand for several minutes. Take a cup of this infusion before eating breakfast.

Heartburn Remedies # 7: Drink a cup of light yogurt or skim milk daily before breakfast.

Remedies for heartburn # 8: Boil 1 leaf of chopped artichoke and 1 teaspoon of Boldo leaves in a cup of water for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, let it cool, and strain. Drink 1 cup twice daily for 30 consecutive days.

Remedies for heartburn # 9: Pour into a cup of boiling water, a tablespoon of cardamom. Cover and allow to cool. Drink a cup twice a day.

Remedies for heartburn # 10: Pour into a glass of water 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Take once a day. This heartburn remedy is not recommended for people with hypertension or fluid retention because bicarbonate contains salt (sodium).

Remedies for heartburn # 11: Pour 15 grams of dried basil leaves in 1 liter of boiling water. Cover and allow to cool. Drink 3 cups daily after meals.

Remedies for heartburn # 12: Mix 30 grams of lemon verbena with 30 grams of salvia and make a tea with 1 teaspoon of the mixture into a cup of hot water. Take 1 cup after meals.

Remedies for heartburn # 13: Boil 1 handful of chamomile flowers in 1 cup of water for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, strain and drink before the meal.

• Dairy: milk, yogurt and nonfat cheese. Avoid aged cheeses, these are high in fat and salt. The milk should be consumed in excess.
• Eggs: Moderate consumption to 3 eggs a week.
• Meat: Prefer white meat than red, because they are easier to digest as marine fish, chicken breast and lean beef. Avoid overcooked meats, sausages, sausages, bacon and sausages in general.
• Grains: white preferably, avoid grains, semolina flour, semolina, corn, wheat, semolina pasta, white rice, etc..
• Pan: eat toast but only slightly, when it reaches a light brown color just. The bread is toasted just easier to digest than untoasted bread, or the extremely tan.
• Vegetables: acidity in crisis avoid raw vegetables, preferably eat them cooked, boiled or steamed, puddings, soufflé, mashed, etc..
• Legumes: Avoid them during crises of acidity. Overcome if any, if you include vegetables should be thoroughly cooked.
• Fruits: baked in mashed potatoes, grated raw. Avoid raw fruits with skins.
• Fruit juices: make a progression to dilute juice base, first to 50% (half water, half juice), then reduce the amount of water and increase the fruit juice.
• Sugar: Avoid eating sweets in large quantities. Avoid kneading pastry, cakes, cookies, etc.. As they contain large amounts of refined sugars and saturated fats that increase the work of the stomach.
• Fluids: Drink two liters of water daily, avoid alcohol, which is exciting the gastric mucosa.
• Infusions: generally useful because they help digestion and cleanse the body. You can take them cold or warm. Recommended: Boldo tea, chamomile, violet, cedar, horsetail grass chicken, purple, etc..
• Oils: Use only for flavor, not used as a cooking medium. The soybean, sunflower, grape, corn, olive, flaxseed, canola, etc., Are the best quality.
• Condiments: avoid prepared sauces, like mayonnaise, ketchup, or anything else that is not home.
• Although ideally a specialist in charge of planning a diet, there are some general guidelines that can help control heartburn.
• Take care of food quality, quantity, and regularity fractionation schedules in food.
• Make 6 meals per day: breakfast, midmorning snack, lunch, snack during the siesta, afternoon tea and dinner.
• Take time to eat, do not do in a hurry. Chew food thoroughly, as this will help the work of the stomach.
• After dinner, do not lie fast, wait at least 1 hour before bedtime.
• Avoid hot or cold foods in excess, as they are irritating to the gastric mucosa.
• Avoid snuff, for biasing the negative impact and preventing ulcers healing and increased recurrence.
• In all cases some physical activity practice and try to make a change in behaviors that cause stress. This will help to normalize gastric disorders.
• Use a specialist to establish the real causes of their condition and to recommend a proper diet, or not use medication and advice about your particular case.
• Take a walk, relax for 30 to 40 minutes a day is good therapy to help you better oxygenate your body.
• Get plenty of sleep, rest is essential, you should sleep 8 hours a day, makes you feel more relaxed (a).

Heartburn is a burning sensation that rises from the stomach into the esophagus, normally associated with gastroesophageal reflux, usually occurring after meals. This reflux can be accompanied by regurgitation of stomach contents to the mouth, either by the presence of food debris or excessive salivation.

Both heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux occurs more frequently among people who suffer from obesity. This is because there is a clear relationship between obesity and relaxation of the sphincter at the end of the esophagus. The esophageal sphincter is a small muscle that functions as a valve that opens to let food intake, and closes once it enters the stomach, but when the sphincter does not function properly, this results in regurgitation, reflux and burning, because the esophagus is not prepared to have contact with the acids produced in the stomach.

Reflows are more common when we are lying, but rarely realize we usually overnight (while sleeping).

If you want to learn How to Stop Heartburn, you need to know that Heartburn is usually a temporary problem, sometimes as a result of poor diet, nerves or stress, but when the heat will happen repeatedly over time is advisable to see a doctor because it could be a symptom of a more complex disorder, as esophagitis, a stomach ulcer or a hiatal hernia, among others.

The problem usually goes away by taking antacids. Frequently the discomfort can be relieved by modifying eating habits such as eating slowly, eat more often and in smaller quantities, avoid drinking coffee, tea or alcohol, and not lie down before you’ve spent at least one hour after eating. There are many infusions that can be performed to relieve heartburn, such the meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria, remains one of the best remedies for acid indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia). Another option is to take a cup of hot water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar before eating. Finally, we note, it is not appropriate for us to press our clothes against our belly.

How to stop Heartburn if the symptoms are recurrent

When the burning is present several times a day is usual that the specialist recommended several tests to evaluate the esophagus and stomach, as it is sometimes necessary to use a medication to strengthen the closure of the internal sphincter of the esophagus. Only in very limited cases will require surgery.