What is gastroesophageal reflux?

People today can suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, which is very common due to the hectic life that many leads on a daily basis. As incredible as this simple problem may seem, it can bring unexpected complications, so in the following article, we will explain what it is, its symptoms, and how you can naturally control it. 

Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition that should not be neglected, for this reason, it is important that you spend a minute reading this article and learning more about it.

WHAT IS GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX?

Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD, is a disease that makes it easier for stomach contents to back up from the stomach into the esophagus, allowing it to become irritated. In addition, it also manages to cause gastric acidity, this condition has grown in recent years and is all due to different factors, in which stress is the main protagonist of its appearance.

Nowadays individuals live in constant chronic stress, and what makes it almost impossible for them to suffer from gastroesophageal reflux. But as it is very common, some people do not go to the doctor for it and there are many ways to relieve gastric reflux.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX?

As we mentioned, there are many factors that influence the appearance of gastroesophageal reflux, and stress is undoubtedly one of them, but there are others that are the following :

• Weakness of the muscles or malfunction of the valve between the stomach and the esophagus.
• A Hiatal hernia is when an upper part of the stomach pushes up through the opening of the diaphragm muscle.
• A bad diet.  
• Alcoholism.
• Obesity.
• Being pregnant.
•  
• smoking.
• Lie down 3 hours after eating.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX?

The most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are the following:

• Burning sensation in the pit of the stomach.
• Burning sensation in the esophagus.
• Regurgitate food.
• Slower and heavier digestions.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Deterioration of the teeth.
• Problems with the respiratory system.
• Sore throat from pharyngitis.
• Chest pain.
• Being hoarse from laryngitis.
• Very dry cough.
• Trouble breathing.
• Increased asthma.

In short, suffering from gastroesophageal reflux is not at all simple, nor is it unimportant, it may be the reason why your abdomen hurts, which is why it is important that those who suffer from it go to the doctor, so that they can control it. And so no greater evils occur

WHAT FOODS CAN CAUSE GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX?

Without a doubt, there are foods that tend to increase the production of more stomach acid, and consequently, gastroesophageal reflux. And although many are addicted to some of these foods, it is advisable to control their consumption, to mention some of them are:

• Coffee and alcohol, cause direct irritation to the digestive mucosa.
• Acid fruits.
• The soft drinks.
• the chocolate.
• Fatty foods.
• Carbohydrates.  
• Spices.
• Mint.
• Butters.
• sugars.
• Dried fruits.
• Oil for frying.
• Eating excessive carbohydrates: rice, pasta, bread, crackers.
• Overeating: cheeses, sausages, cakes, and the like.

Many of these foods allow the muscles of the valve that facilitate the separation of the stomach and the esophagus, and since there is an opening in it, it allows gastroesophageal reflux to rise. And all because it should only be open when food passes through the stomach, and not for it to rise.

There is a study on foods that cause gastroesophageal reflux and are reflected in the book "Diet and its influence on the management of reflux", carried out by the University of Medicine of Philadelphia.

IS THERE A NATURAL TREATMENT FOR GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX?

A proper diet can help you control gastroesophageal reflux, without a doubt, but there are also other natural recommendations that will help you control it and even make it disappear, but always remember to follow the instructions, among them we have the following:

• Quit tobacco, since it allows the valve of the esophagus to weaken and therefore open when it shouldn't.
• Have the last meal of the day early in the evening, and make it light, since reflux may occur more at night.
• Placing the mattress on the side of the headboard in an elevated way, thereby reducing the rise of acids when lying down.
• Avoid eating food excessively, since the fuller the stomach is, the easier it will be for them to rise.
• Avoid performing exercises that increase the pressure in the stomach.
• Reduce stress with the help of Mindfulness, yoga, psychological.
• Take digestive or slightly anti-inflammatory infusions: chamomile, licorice, Malva, and others.
• Consume baking soda: 1 teaspoon is enough, but do not do it frequently as it has contraindications.
• The consumption of pharmaceutical preparations with natural active ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, as it protects the digestive mucosa.

IS ANY MEDICATION RECOMMENDED?

But in the same way, if necessary, you can take some medication indicated by your doctor, which allows you to cure gastroesophageal reflux, and thereby prevent it from causing further damage to the mucosa. Among them are those belonging to the family of aluminum salts, which manage to neutralize acids for a short time, one is Almax, free sale, with moderate use and supervision.  

All this because these salts can cause adverse effects such as diarrhea or low bone mineralization; You can also use the members of the omeprazole family: pantoprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, these are similar in their action but with different potency, so these must be indicated by the doctor depending on the symptoms you present.

But like the previous group, it has side effects that manifest themselves in the long term, such as low absorption levels of vitamin B12, magnesium, bone mineralization, as well as an increase in cardiovascular problems. For this reason, it is very important to control gastroesophageal reflux, so that serious complications, such as esophageal cancer, do not occur.