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.

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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

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Alternatives To GERD Medications

Acid reflux and GERD are essentially the same condition. Therefore, when we are talking about GERD medications we are also making reference to acid reflux medications.

There are several reasons to look at alternative methods for controlling severe heartburn symptoms. One is that some people want to avoid pharmaceuticals altogether. A second is that... long term use of GERD medications is addictive and even potentially harmful.

Unfortunately, when you enter into the world of alternative remedies you open up a new set of difficulties. There are numerous recommended solutions, schools of thought, and limited legitimate research. In many cases, the only way that you can know if something is going to work is to use yourself as the guinea pig.

In regard to acid reflux and heartburn, a simple internet search for natural remedies will uncover hundreds of possibilities. Some of recommended solutions appear illogical. For example, apple cider vinegar is one of the highest rated natural remedies. Besides the fact that vinegar tastes bad (by itself), it is also highly acidic. Pouring acid on acid doesn't seem to make much sense. But there are many advocates who sing the praises of apple cider vinegar. Personally, I tried it, and it didn't work for me. Based on the experience of others who swear by it, there is a possibility that it will work for you. If you can get by the taste... give it a try.

Closely related to apple cider vinegar is... pickle juice. Now, since pickles are made in a variety of ways the question arises, "What kind of pickle juice?" Pickle juice advocates strongly favor juice from fermented pickles. I didn't know there was such a thing... but I'll take their word for it. Yet other suggest dill pickle or sweet gherkin juice. And if you can't stand drinking the stuff straight... just suck on a pickle... or eat one. So they claim.

Likely a more long term natural fix will require a change in diet. The idea is to keep your system in a proper alkaline to acid pH balance. What we eat controls that balance and most of us, due to our highly acid modern diets, are leaning too heavily on the acid side of the scale.

For these diet changes to work you must decrease the consumption of acidic triggers like chocolate, caffeine, sugar, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. Also troublesome are greasy, spicy, and fatty foods. Alkaline foods are pretty much all vegetables and they are best consumed raw. Raw vegetables provide you with powerful enzymes that are necessary for good digestion.

Since I am on the subject of diet... it is important to recognize that obesity is one of the biggest contributors to GERD. If you have a weight problem then you can anticipate that acid reflux goes along with it. I know that it's easier said than done, but losing weight is one of the most effective natural cures for heartburn that you will find.

Apples are also often recommended as a natural remedy for reflux. They are high in enzymes and can help soothe the fire in your belly.

One of the first natural remedies suggested to me actually came from my grandmother. She believed in the effectiveness of baking soda. Many people concur with her recommendation. Again, it's not a cure-all but it may give you that immediate relief you seek.

Aloe vera juice is another natural remedy that some people feel good about. Once you get past the taste, which is worse than vinegar, it may give you some temporary relief.

Also on the list of potential remedies are milk, licorice root extract, acidophilus, and mustard. There are others... many others. But if you want the one alternative remedy that surpasses all GERD medications you will have the greatest success with changing your diet and losing weight.

Richard Weirich co-hosts the internationally popular Health at Last Radio Show and has written numerous publications on heartburn, acid reflux, weight loss, health, and wellness. For more information on gerd medications go to http://www.heartburnadviser.com/.

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Have Acid Reflux? Try This GERD Natural Treatment

GERD is something which no one wants to experience. However, acid reflux is very common. Stress, diet and unhealthy lifestyle are often the causes of GERD. If you suffer from acid, you may experience one or all of the following complications: inflammation, sore throat, respiratory problems such as asthma and fibrosis of the esophagus, which is a risk factor for esophageal cancer. Now, you can treat your acid reflux with these GERD natural treatment alternatives. These GERD natural treatment options can give you the relief you need:

1. Chamomile and ginger, a dynamic duo.

Chamomile and ginger tea helps to relax the upper gastrointestinal tract during an attack of heartburn which makes them an effective GERD natural treatment. For help with this natural remedy for heartburn, put a bag of chamomile tea and 1 / 4 c. teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or a pinch of ginger powder) in a cup of boiling water and let it stand for 5 minutes. You may or may not add sugar to tea.

2. Calcium citrate calcium carbonate as GERD natural treatment.

This is the same as the body needs calcium to build bones and relax muscles. It is also effective as an anti-acid, which relieves heartburn. You need between 500 mg and 1000 mg of calcium nitrate a day.

3. Pepper and oregano oil

Several studies have shown that oil of oregano and pepper spray is effective in reducing symptoms of GERD. Pepper and oregano oil is commonly found in capsules with an enteric coating to prevent breakage in the stomach and esophagus to cause more irritation. This natural remedy for acid reflux breaking through the intestines, large and small, will do their job effectively.

4. Licorice, effective GERD natural treatment.

The licorice extract heals efficiently and helps relieve symptoms of acid reflux. If you have an irritated esophagus as a result of acid reflux, take two chewable tablets of Licorice, 20 minutes before meals. Licorice is found to be an effective treatment for the infection of H. Pylori, the bacterium that causes gastric ulcers.

It is important to identify foods that tend to aggravate your acid reflux and then try to exclude from your diet. Many people find they have fewer symptoms of acid reflux, whether to reduce or eliminate the consumption of chocolate, fried foods, caffeine and processed foods. Many people who suffer from acid reflux also found that their condition is reduced if small meals and eat unless you eat when you have an irritation or discomfort. Natural healing seems contrary to what might be considered logical, since it works on adding stomach acid indigestion, providing relief. If you want to try this natural treatment for acid reflux, first consult your doctor or nutritionist. Your doctor may prescribe the right dose for you and how to take this supplement.

Angelia J. Johnston is the webmaster of http://www.indigestionsymptomsonline.com/ which is a website dedicated to indigestion symptoms.

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What In the World Is Causing My Heartburn?

Despite the fact that almost every human being suffers from heartburn at some time in their life, your own heartburn is unique to just you. If you do some digging into what triggers your bouts, you'll find that you will respond negatively to some of the same foods that others do, but you won't have negative reactions to all of them. You can get a general idea of the various foods that should and shouldn't trigger you to have heartburn attacks, but unless you really stop and evaluate what you've eaten immediately before the pain begins, you aren't going to know those that are specific to you. There is no one pat answer to the question, "What causes heartburn?"

Heartburn triggers are nothing your doctor can determine by examining you. Instead, you may need to keep a food diary for a number of weeks to find patterns in what you eat and when you have heartburn. You may find that even though there are hundreds of medications available to relieve heartburn symptoms, if you isolate the foods that are giving you the problems, you can merely eliminate them from your diet instead of taking drugs. For example, acidic foods, such as tomatoes and oranges, can cause heartburn in some people. If you happen to be one of them, it will be a simple matter to change your eating habits to exclude all forms of them.

The American culture itself can be a major cause of heartburn in many ways. People in our country eat lots of the foods that may trigger acid reflux problems including fried and spicy foods, a high concentration of fats, and simply the fact that Americans tend to eat two or three large meals a day rather than spreading their food intake out into several smaller meals. Eating too much at one sitting can cause heartburn. When your stomach is filled to capacity, there is no where for the stomach acid that is generated to go except back into your esophagus where it manifests itself as heartburn.

Exercising, while considered good for your health, can cause heartburn in certain instances. For instance, exercising too strenuously immediately following a meal can be a problem. Stress and the hectic life that many Americans lead can also be to blame. When life is overly busy, people tend to eat fast food on the run. That practice is just setting them up for bouts of heartburn. Eat smaller meals at a leisurely pace in order to stop heartburn in its tracks.

Want more information on how to stop heartburn? Get more information, tips and resources here: How to get rid of heartburn fast.

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What Are Healthy Bowels Anyway? Cut Leaky Bowels At The Source

You have probably heard before that the delicious, amazing foods we enjoy today are actually very bad for the human body. You've heard the accusations that the soil no longer has the nutrients needed to nourish the body and all of the attacks on preservatives. You have also been informed that modern processing robs our food of valuable bacteria needed for healthy bowels. You know how your stomach feels when riddled with leaky gut syndrome and you know that these attacks on the modern day diet are probably true.

This leads to one big question: what is a healthy stomach supposed to feel like? What do healthy bowels feel like?

The Digestive Process

You first have to understand how the digestive system of the human body works. It can be summed up like this:

1. You choose foods that you want to eat and ingest them.

2. The food is broken down by your teeth then pushed into the stomach. Think of the stomach as a holding tank where food waits for further processing.

3. The food is driven through the small intestine so nutrients can be pulled out and absorbed into the system. Those nutrients will then be used for a variety of purposes throughout the body.

4. The food goes through the large intestine so fluids can be drawn out and absorbed into the system. The water will also be used throughout the body, wherever it is needed.

As the food goes through this processing, bacterium accumulate throughout the digestive tract. This should ideally be a healthy mix of good and bad bacteria. The good bacteria should fight off the bad, keeping the ratio in check for healthy bowels.

It is when the bad bacteria start to take over that you really have something to worry out. That is essentially what happens with leaky gut syndrome. There is your answer to the big question: healthy bowels have a nice mix of good and bad bacteria. These bowels are comfortable and high functioning because of this mix.

Keeping the Balance

The modern world is working against your healthy bowels. If you are under a lot of stress at times, you are probably killing off some of your healthy bacteria. If you eat a diet high in sugar or consume a lot of processed foods, then you have a much higher chance of ruining the balance between good and bad bacteria. Add in all of the preservatives added into our food for long shelve lives and the artificial coloring and flavoring that we use every single day, and you see why so many people have leaky guts!

There is one other culprit for the murder of good bacteria: antibiotics. Doctors prescribe antibiotics for the purpose of killing off bacteria. The problem is these medications have no control over their guns. They simply attack any and all bacteria that come their way. This means the good bacteria goes down along with the bad.

All of these factors can lead to an imbalance that allows the bad bacteria to take over. Irritation, inflammation, and lots of digestive discomfort are the result.

What are Healthy Bowels?

Healthy bowels are bowels that function properly and are not uncomfortable. They are bowels not overrun with parasites, bacteria and other toxins from a leaky intestinal wall. That is essentially what happens with leaky gut syndrome: the intestinal walls fail to keep the toxins away from the blood stream.

Do You Want Healthy Bowels?

No matter how unhealthy your bowels may be right now, you can restore them to health in a couple ways:

1. Increase the good bacteria in your gut by taking a probiotic on a daily basis.

2. Eat foods that promote a healthy digestive system, while staying away from foods that do not sit well in your system.

It's all about increasing the good bacteria and getting rid of the bad. Do that and you too will benefit from healthy bowels.

Find out more valuable information on Leaky Bowels/Healthy Bowels by visiting http://www.leakygutsyndromehelp.com/leaky-bowels/

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How I Beat Heartburn and Changed My Life

Most of us have felt the burning pain in our chests that comes from heartburn or felt the distress of acid-reflux. We can choose from an entire arsenal of products meant to combat the agony of indigestion. Many have limited success is suppressing heartburn or bringing long-term relief. Heartburn affects millions of Americans and, if left untreated, can have severe consequences.

Or you can take a look at all the things you are doing that are behind your gastronomic distress. In my case I found that many of my daily habits were the root cause of my chronic heartburn and acid-reflux. Being the type of person who dislikes taking pharmaceuticals for indefinite periods, I was inclined to look for other solutions. Despite the aversion to drugs I was consuming large amounts of over the counter anti-acids that have been around for decades. At least the chalky taste had been improved with the introduction of the fast dissolving tablets. A small victory for a Rolaids junkie.

Initial relief came as an unintended consequence of my desire to quit smoking. This life long habit had begun to take its toll on my health and I had decided to curtail the habit once and for all. With the tobacco smoke no longer irritating my throat and lungs I discovered that I was not only breathing better but was experiencing a decrease in the frequency of heartburn episodes.

Along with the nicotine went the beer. Having been a typical "one of the guys" I was usually found enjoying a cold, frosty mug of my favorite brew when the opportunity arose. Backyard Bar-B-Qs and Football Sundays were always perfect occasions to join the gang in downing a few beers. Whether it is the fermented hops or the carbonation, the excessive gas and irritation of the upper GI tract create a formula for disaster when coupled with smoking and overindulging in pizza and jalapeno smothered Nachos.

This brings up another lifestyle choice that factors into the equation. Our eating habits can contribute to the problem in several different ways. In addition to the types of food we eat, the combination of the foods we eat can cause us distress, especially when combined with our compulsion to overeat. One particular habit of mine was late night snacking, which proved to be the cause of occasional reflux. The most disturbing part of it was that during the night it became possible to aspirate the stomach fluids into the lungs with dire results. This motivated me to seek solutions to the symptoms that were plaguing me.

Choosing a more healthful diet along with eliminating offending food and drink was the first step. It was helpful to keep a journal of when and what I was eating in order to determine which items caused the greatest upset. I found that switching to decaf made a major difference. I can now enjoy the occasional cup of the high-octane brew without unpleasant side-effects.

Additional benefits from making these lifestyle changes included increased energy and outlook from having lost weight. My overall health has improved, in general I feel better than I have in years. I noticed a decrease in sinus allergy attacks. Mental functions are also improved. I would attribute better memory to improved mental focus that was a direct result of changes in diet and exercise. Keeping a journal was helpful in identifying the offending food and drink.

While undergoing treatment for back pain and having surgery to remove bunions from both feet have also been factors in my life, I find that addressing the issues of lifestyle choices that I have outlined was the major contributor to relieving my heartburn and GERD*. Since I do not advocate the continued use of medications I also want to qualify my comments by adding that I do not intend to be overly critical of their use. This is certainly a personal preference on my part. I suggest you ask your family physician to advise you in choosing the best approach for you.

When it comes to our health, one size doe not fit all. We should all take greater interest in and control over the habits that directly affect our health. This was the path the lead my to greater health and happiness and I share it as a means of making others aware or the need to empower themselves in order to master the events and circumstances of their lives.

*GERD: a chronic condition in which the esophageal sphincter allows gastric acid to reflux into the esophagus; causing heartburn, acid indigestion, and possible injury to the esophageal lining. If left untreated can have drastic long-term consequences to health. Always consider consulting a qualified medical practitioner when symptoms these persist.

Richard Quindry writes fiction and non-fiction on his website. He can be contacted via email at the email address shown below. He accepts free lance assignments and enjoys researching topics of every sort. He is an avid reader of many other Blogs and likes to share ideas with other writers.

His favorite books include mysteries, science-fiction and biographies. He also enjoys writing poetry, a talent he acquired from his grandfather. His recently published book "Marvelous Miriam's Magical Hawaiian Adventure" is dedicated to his granddaughter.

Richard Quindry
askhugh@hughcares.net

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