Facts About Acid Reflux
When it comes to preventing the effects of a disease on your day to day life, learning more about it is one of the most effective things you can do. Were you aware that acid reflux is a problem for at least thirty five percent of people who are overweight, plus many other people who are not?
In this article we’re going to look at several important facts about acid reflux which will hopefully help you to minimize its effects on your life.
More than sixty million Americans experience heartburn due to acid reflux at least once per month. That represents roughly one fifth of the entire American population! Also, approximately twenty five million Americans, or one twelfth of the total American population experience the harmful effects of heartburn/acid reflux on an every day basis.
Acid reflux isn’t only a problem with the digestive system, it can also affect your mental health. Roughly 80% of the people who deal with it experience the symptoms during the night, and about 75% of those people wake up as a result.
This can lead to other problems during the day, such as irritability, lack of concentration and increased risk of accidents while driving or while at work.
Technically, heartburn is incurable but there are some steps you can take to minimize your risk. If you think you might be at risk of acid reflux, you need to review your diet and lessen the number of acid-creating foods you eat.
Drinking alcohol and smoking can also both contribute to acid reflux. Smoking will increase the acid production in your stomach, which can make the acid reflux even more damaging to your esophagus.
Also, nicotine is known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which, when operating incorrectly, is one of the leading causes of an acid reflux condition. Alcohol performs much of the same process on the lower esophageal sphincter, causing it to relax and allowing reflux to creep into the esophagus.
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