Excess Stomach Acid Symptoms and Tips

Stomach Acid Symptoms

Before you run to the pharmacy to get a new cure for stomach acid (also known as acid reflux), it's important to know the symptoms to watch out for. If you aren't sure that you have any acid symptoms, it may be a good idea to ask a doctor, and then decide your next step. Reflux can also be too low, or too high. Most people's experience will be different depending on the pH of the acid within their stomach.

Low Stomach Acid Symptoms

With low levels of acid, people can experience symptoms similar to indigestion. Because of the low amount of acid, protein and minerals often cannot be digested quickly. Usually, this takes the form of heartburn, constipation, and general indigestion. Since bacteria can build up inside the stomach of a person who has low acid, belching, flatulence, and bloating are also very common. One of the most easily recognized symptoms of low acid is being able to see undigested food in your stool.

Low Acid Level Symptoms and Nutrition

The lack of protein and minerals that are used in low acid levels often shows itself in other ways. Women may notice hair loss. Both men and women may experience brittle nails, acne, and signs of vitamin deficiency. Surprisingly enough, food allergies will often flare up due to low levels of acid. If you feel malnourished, or just don't seem like yourself anymore, it might be time to compare your symptoms.

Emotional Stomach Acid Symptoms

Emotionally, this can cause serious problems. Low acid increases cortisol, which has been known to cause weight gain and temper problems. People who have low acidic levels are also often tired, irritable, and even morose. Sufferers from high acid often experience discomfort and embarrassment because of their digestive problems.

High Acid Level Symptoms

High acid comes with its own slew of problems. The most obvious signs of high acid include a painful, burning feeling inside the stomach. Your mouth might also experience an unusually sour taste. Some patients also feel bouts of nausea and gas. Because of the sour taste that is left in patients' mouths, and also because of the nausea that many people who suffer from high levels of acid endure, another high stomach acid symptom is a loss of appetite.

People who have high acid might also experience ulcers and acid reflux in it's most typical sense of the word. If you have a stomach ulcer, go to a doctor immediately. This is a very serious stomach acid symptom.

The Causes of Stomach Acid Symptoms

90% of the problems that cause heartburn or reflux problems are actually self-inflicted. For people with low acid levels, one of the lead causes of the symptoms that they are trying to get rid of is actually taking antacids. People with high levels often have only their diets to blame. Depending on what stomach acid symptoms you are experiencing.

If you are experiencing Stomach Acid Symptoms of any kind, there is help available to you. Don't wait through another day of pain, discomfort, and embarrassment. Talk with your doctor, read more on Foods To Avoid With Acid Reflux Disease.

View the original article here

Stomach Ulcers and Natural Remedies

First you need to know what caused your susceptibility so ulcers do not become a repetitive occurrence in your life. Stomach acid imbalance, too many pain relievers, taking capsules on an empty tummy, stress, Dosha imbalances and too much pepsin are common causes that compromise the body making it susceptible to ulcers. 90% of duodenal ulcers are developed by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). While everyone will have individualistic needs, below are some essential natural remedies:

Mastica: Safe effective alternative to antibiotics to clear gastro-intestinal disorders (gastritis, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), intestinal inflammation). Mastic Gum, 500 mg twice daily for two weeks, kills H. pylori without killing the necessary friendly bacteria in the tummy.

Cabbage: Juice raw cabbage to cleanse, sooth and heal. Mix with carrots, apples and ginger root. Drink 1/2 C 30 minutes prior to meals and at bed time. If you do not have access to a juicer make a broth with carrots and onion. Add cayenne, raw garlic and raw green herbs right before drinking for optimum antibiotics and immune function.

Cayenne pepper: Natural pain reliever to take in broths, teas or capsules.

Greens: Juices & Smoothies (barley, wheat grass, kale) alkalize the body for healing.

Plantains & Bananas: Eat 1 daily to thicken stomach wall and increase mucus production, building a barrier between digestive acids and the lining of the stomach. Add to smoothies for yum factor.

Herbal Teas: Slippery Elm Bark soothes the stomach mucous membranes. Find a mixture that has slippery elm bark, marshmallow, and licorice root.

Raw Honey: Antimicrobial to soothe and reduce inflammation. Take with peppermint and ginger tea for bloat, gas, burning and after meals to aid digestion.

Optimal Digestion: Eat 6 mini meals through the day, we do not want to put layers of food in our tummies. Do not "eat on the run," when in a negative mind state or after 8pm. Eat just before you begin to feel hungry and stop eating just before you feel full, we do not want our bellies too hungry nor too full. Take the bulk of your liquids at least 30 before and after meals so you do not dilute digestive juices. Please stay away from meats as they very acidifying to the body and hard to digest. In the least, do not pair meet and starches.

Digestive Enzymes: Aids the body to break down protein and fats.

Pro-biotics: Replaces friendly bacteria if you took prescription antibiotics.

Dairy: Replace cow products with goats'.

Stress-reduction: Do not forget yoga, deep breathing, meditation, aromatherapy, visualization and massage.

Reflection: Set aside time to become aware-acknowledge-accept "what is eating you." Ask for healing, give yourself permission to heal then see yourself healing.

Nurture: Do one thing daily to love yourself.

*Disclaimer: Not intended to diagnose/treat any disease or be a substitute for medical advice/ health care. Speak with your doctor before incorporating any new lifestyle changes.

"Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." -Hippocrates.

Stephanie Harper is a Wellness Coach and author with specializations as a Master Herbalist, Nutritional Consultant and a Holistic Health Practitioner. Remember, Optimum Wellness is more than the absence of dis-ease. To learn more about home made health and wellness visit https://sites.google.com/site/holisticapproaches/ and connect with Holistic Approaches on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Holistic-Approaches/231177590236966

View the original article here