The importance of digestive health is becoming more and more evident as science continues to uncover just how interconnected the body really is. For example, we now know that changes in your gut can result in mood changes – and vice versa. This is due to the enteric nervous system in your gut (your little brain) communicating back and forth with your “big brain” in a process called the gut-brain connection.  Over 60 million people in the US are currently suffering from a digestive health condition. And studies show acid reflux is the most prevalent of all.

This is something that often goes ignored or dismissed by people as something they just have to live with. As a result, they risk the dangerous consequences of untreated acid reflux. Consequences that could have been avoided by nipping it in the bud early on.

What is Acid Reflux?

Let’s start with a quick recap of what acid reflux actually is and how it happens. Your stomach has a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES) that opens to let food in and then closes. When it’s working properly, you don’t get acid reflux. But when your LES remains open/partially open, this causes the contents of your stomach to leak back up into your esophagus and throat – and this is acid reflux.

So why is your LES not closing properly? The most common reason for this is actually low stomach acid. That’s right, you don’t have too much stomach acid, you don’t have enough of it! This is because your LES gets the signal to close from the acid secreted in your stomach. So if there isn’t enough acid then your LES stops closing properly, and acid reflux happens. 

It’s normal to experience acid reflux symptoms every now and then; such as heartburn after a spicy meal! But when it starts to become a common occurrence then it needs to be taken seriously. Acid reflux that occurs often may be a sign of a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a severe form of acid reflux that has become chronic. When left untreated, the damage GERD does to your esophagus can lead to serious consequences such as pneumonia, asthma, and Barrett’s Esophagus – a condition that can lead to esophageal cancer.

Common Acid Reflux Symptoms 

By watching out for these common acid reflux symptoms you can make sure you treat the problem before it escalates to a more severe level.

Heartburn

Most people have had heartburn at some stage in their lives. This is a burning and often searing sensation in the chest that can be triggered by certain foods and beverages, such as chocolate, coffee, and alcohol. These trigger foods can make acid flow back up into the esophagus and throat. This is what causes the horrible pain and burning associated with heartburn. Some heartburn now and then is normal, but if you start to experience this on a regular basis it’s time to treat it.

Regurgitation

Have you ever woken up with a bitter taste in your mouth in the middle of the night? You may be regurgitating in your sleep. This happens when acid backs up into your throat and mouth and it’s more common at night time.

Vomiting can also occur in more severe cases.

Dysphagia: Difficulty Swallowing

Many people with GERD have difficulty swallowing that becomes so bad that they can’t even swallow medication. This happens when your esophagus narrows due to acid damage, scarring, and inflammation. It’s very important to heal the esophagus and get this symptom under control fast as it can lead to other health conditions associated with malnutrition.

Bad Breath

If you suffer from bad breath, acid reflux could indeed be behind it. When the contents of your stomach move up into your esophagus, this matter begins to decay, and this can cause a very unpleasant odor. In addition, regurgitation of undigested food can also lead to bad breath, so there’s really no getting out of this one. 

Sore Throat/Hoarseness

Stomach acid can irritate the vocal cords as it moves up the esophagus. causing throat pain and hoarseness to develop. This is often worse in the morning and may lessen as the day goes on. The other symptoms of reflux such as dysphagia and chronic coughing can also contribute to throat pain.

Treat Your Acid Reflux Right Now

If you’re experiencing acid reflux, our experts suggest a natural supplement that will help your stomach to produce more acid rather than block your acid production. Our main acid relief supplements are designed to prevent acid reflux and treat it when the symptoms occur and are currently available as a combo package in our Heartburn Relief Kit.

Our Heartburn Relief Kit contains a Reflux Inhibitor to resolve your acid reflux for good and an Acid Relief supplement to provide extra relief from symptoms during this process. We’re giving all of our blog readers a 30% discount on our products to help you get started on the way to wellness. Use the code: aciddangers30 when ordering to avail of your discount.

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