Acid Reflux Symptom
In the last few years the prevalence of acid reflux in the general population seems to be on the rise. The pathology behind this condition is the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which connects the stomach to the esophagus and results in the regression of the stomach contents to the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube through which food is transported from the mouth to the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter is a ring that normally allows the flow of food only from the esophagus to the stomach and not vice versa.
Acid Reflux Symptom
The disease occurs mainly due to modern lifestyle and eating habits. The symptoms of this condition include pain, tingling and a burning sensation in the chest and throat, as well as difficulty swallowing and coughing after eating lunch. Studies in the United States, have showed that one in four Americans has symptoms of acid reflux, but only the 7% of the general population actually know that they are suffering from the condition. What is more, it is estimated that 25% of pregnant women suffer from the condition, while 50% will definitely have some episodes of acid reflux during pregnancy.
Acid Reflux Symptom
But how can you be sure that you are actually suffering from acid reflux?
Acid Reflux Symptom
The diagnosis should be confirmed by a gastroenterologist, because the symptoms are not specific to this particular condition. Also, with the objective tests you can determine the severity of the disease and exclude other diseases that may share the same symptoms. The methods used for the diagnosis usually include gastroscopy, Ph-metry esophagus (it measures the acidity of the fluid of the esophagus with an electrode placed through the nose into the esophagus where it remains for 24 hours, while the patients perform their normal daily habits) and test Bernstein (a mild acid is channeled through a conduit into the esophagus to reproduce the symptoms of the disease).
Many sufferers try to use drugs in order to get rid of this problem, but usually this method doesn't work. However, there are several changes in lifestyle and diet that can help relieve the symptoms. People who suffer from the reflux disease should avoid acidic foods and acidic drinks such as citrus fruits, onions and coffee.
Below is a list of foods that have been shown to trigger acid reflux:
Citrus fruits. Chocolate. Coffee and caffeinated beverages. Alcoholic beverages. Fried foods. Very fatty foods. Onion and garlic. Foods with the flavor or the scent of mint. Spicy foods. Tomato and red sauce dishes. Pizza and chili.
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