Acid Reflux and Heartburn

Acid reflux is a result of a weakened gastrointestinal tract. It is the same condition as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although there are numerous ways of how to get rid of acid reflux, understanding what this condition is all about is critical as finding relief.

How It Happens

Before we discuss how to get rid of acid reflux, let’s get to its root cause. When a person eats, food goes in the mouth and down the throat and the esophagus. At the end is a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES opens to let the food through, then closes right after. Ideally, this is how the mechanism works.

However, there are instances when the LES does not close properly. When this happens, some stomach contents, including food and acid, move back up the tract. The backward or reflux action, particularly the acid, can irritate the esophagus’ delicate lining and result in heartburn.

Although many people consider acid reflux as a mere inconvenience, it can potentially become severe and dangerous. Addressing acid reflux also takes care of how to get rid of heartburn.

How to Get Rid of Acid Reflux: Know The Contributing Factors

• A hefty meal Indulging in your favorites at the buffet sounds like a treat. However, when you forget to curb your appetite, you might have one uncomfortable post-feast experience.
• Extra body weight When a person puts on additional weight, especially around the belly, this might increase the stomach’s pressure and affect the functions in this section.
• Carbonated drinks The fizz from these beverages can prompt the lower esophageal sphincter to open more often. Maybe easing up on soda and carbonated water might be a great way to eliminate acid reflux.
• Pregnancy Growing a baby in your tummy in nine months make you susceptible to acid reflux and heartburn. The additional weight can affect the regular functions of the digestive tract. On top of this, the surge of pregnancy-related hormones may cause specific muscles to relax or constrict.

Acid Reflux And Spinal Alignment

Acid reflux primarily affects the digestive tract. However, the spine and its alignment can also play a key role. A well-aligned spine enables the nerves to transmit signals to the brain for interpretation. If everything goes as planned, the brain sends out signals for the body to complete specific functions.

A misaligned spine can be due to numerous factors, including injury, genetics, and even body weight. The farther a person’s weight gets from its ideal number, the more strain the additional pounds apply on the spine’s bones and discs. Being overweight increases a person’s risks of slipped discs, dislodged bones and discs, and other degenerative diseases.

When the spine is out of alignment, a highly likely outcome is narrower pathways. Since nerves traverse the spinal cord’s trails to get to the brain, thinner highways make the trip challenging. This opens up the possibility for the brain to misinterpret the signals and issue the wrong commands. Along with every other body part, the muscular valve in the lower section of the esophagus gets its orders from the brain. As such, its ability to close and open the lid properly is at risk.

If you want to know how to get rid of heartburn and acid reflux, please go ahead and read our articles here.

Symptoms & Conditions | Upper Cervical Care

Upper Cervical Care is an effective, alternative treatment to drugs and surgery for a wide variety of symptoms. Below is just a partial list of some of the most common, but if you do not see your health problem on this list do not assume we cannot help you. If you have a central nervous system, then it needs to be unrestricted for your body to function correctly.