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Most people have stomach acid reflux at some time in their lives, either as heartburn or acid regurgitation. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The burning, pressure, or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and is often worse after eating.

Almost everyone gets heartburn sometimes, but persistent heartburn or chronic heartburn may be cause for concern. What works best to treat heartburn depends on what foods or other factors may be causing the heartburn. Anyone who suffers from persistent heartburn, typically defined as heartburn symptoms experienced two or three times per week, should have their symptoms evaluated by their physician. Even people who experience symptoms only once a week may feel that they have persistent heartburn.

Tomatoes and citrus fruits are foods that cause heartburn in some people. These highly acidic foods can lead to excess stomach acid and may cause heartburn. The causes of heartburn vary from individual to individual. Some people are not bothered by tomatoes or oranges, but may be bothered by fried or spicy foods. It is sometimes necessary to keep a food diary to isolate the foods that cause heartburn in your own diet.

The typical American diet includes many foods that may cause heartburn. Fried foods, spicy foods and fats of all kinds can lead to heartburn. The tendency to eat two or three large meals as opposed to several smaller meals throughout the day probably causes a lot of cases of heartburn. Symptoms often follow large meals and lead to the need for antacids or heartburn herbal remedies. Eating a small meal every couple of hours may not only be what helps with heartburn, but what helps one lose extra pounds. Overweight people experience heartburn more often than those who are at their ideal weight.

Stress, smoking, drinking alcoholic or carbonated beverages and even certain types of exercise are all heartburn causes and treatments of heartburn that are effective often include efforts to reduce stress and smoking; drinking more water, less sodas and beer. While moderate regular exercise is helpful, squatting, bending and running can bring on or worsen heartburn. Any exercise, other than a leisurely stroll, that follows a meal, particularly a large one, will often bring on heartburn.

Efforts to reduce stress, eating in a relaxed environment, chewing slowly may all help prevent heartburn. Eating on the run is one of the leading causes of heartburn. It is next to impossible to avoid everything that may cause heartburn all the time, but it is possible to quit smoking, eat smaller meals, get regular exercise and avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages. Anyone who experiences heartburn two or three times per week should have their symptoms evaluated by a physician. The best treatment for heartburn may be a prescription drug, but should include lifestyle changes and efforts to avoid the leading causes of heartburn, as well.

Some companies that sell herbs and other natural products have concoctions that include a combination of herbs for frequent heartburn prevention as well as heartburn relief. A combination of herbs for heartburn relief may be more effective than just one type of herb. Fennel and mint oils are commonly recommended, but some doctors advise that mint of any kind can bring on heartburn. Whenever you are buying herbs and other natural products, you should choose an established company that sells a number of different products, not just herbs for heartburn relief.

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If you think about how many prescription and over-the-counter heartburn medicines there are, you’d guess that everybody in American suffering from heartburn.

It is true. A Gallup Organization national survey discovered more than 60 million Americans experience heartburn symptoms every day. But, there is good news orange peel extract can work to relieve heartburn pain safely and effectively and without side effects. Many people tell about its great success in their lives.

What is heartburn?

Heartburn is the pain caused by the splashing up of fluids from the stomach into the esophagus. The stomach has a special lining to protect itself from the hydrochloric acid, the esophagus does not. At the bottom of the esophagus there is a circular muscle called lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES opens to soon stomach acid travels from the stomach into the esophagus, this is what causes the burning pain.

What is the difference between heartburn and ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are sores usually caused by a bacterial infection or overuse of aspirin in the stomach. A stomach ulcer and heartburn are in the same family. They have mostly the same symptoms and treatments, and could eventually be a serious problem if left untreated.

What’s the difference between heartburn and GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease’s (GERD) symptom is continual heartburn throughout an entire week. GERD can be a very serious disease because the hydrochloric acid can wear away the esophagus lining and develop scar tissue. Scar tissue causes problems with trying to swallow. GERD also can help cause asthma, pneumonia, hoarseness, chronic cough, and the erosion of teeth. Recently, doctors have found that GERD can be the cause for cancer of the larynx and pharynx.

What causes heartburn?

There are many causes for heartburn. The esophagus has an important function to allow humans to swallow. When we swallow, small muscle fibers contract creating a movement called peristalsis. The slowing down of esophageal peristalsis happens with age and heartburn can develop.

Overeating can also cause heartburn, because the food has overfilled the stomach which allows acid to come up. The acids can also cause heartburn when bending over, lying down, or lifting heavy objects.

Foods can cause the discomfort of heartburn. Foods and beverages such as: chocolate, tomatoes, raw onions, citrus fruits, garlic vinegar, black pepper, citrus juices, caffeine, carbon, and alcohol. Smokers are also more prone to heartburn because it relaxes the LES which opens to let the acid out.

Who else is prone to developing heartburn?

There are three major types of people who are more apt to having heartburn. People who are overweight get heartburn because their fat adds pressure to the abdomen. Also pregnant women get heartburn because of their pressure on the abdomen from the baby. Doctors also say that a woman’s changing hormones can cause the muscle valve to relax. An overwhelming 25% of women have heartburn during their pregnancy.

Heartburn is also known to show up in people with hiatal hernias because in this condition, the stomach slides above the diaphragm, a thin muscle that keeps the stomach away from the chest. Food and the acid are now able to flow back into the esophagus, which causes heartburn.

What side effects do many heartburn medications have?

No medications can cure heartburn, but they can relieve the pain for a period of time. Some medications are known to impede some vitamins and calcium absorption, as well as interfere with digestion and stomach secretions.

Heartburn medications work for some people most of the time, but for some they lack a consistent relief. This allows for many people to switch brands to find the one that will work the best for their body.

Antacids use substances to neutralize stomach acid, but now the hydrochloric acid can not do its vital functions, like digesting food, inhibiting bacterial growth, and absorbing vitamins and nutrients. Also, when the acid is neutralized, our body reacts by creating even more, which would cause even greater heartburn. This cycle is known as “acid rebound.”

Antacids also have many side effects. Food poisoning is more apt to happening because bacteria can survive longer with the antacids.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) restrain the acid from creating. Actually, it practically shuts down the stomach’s ability to produce acid.

The most common heartburn medications, such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid are actually supposed to be used short-time, but people are using them as a long-term medication. Using the orange peel extract is a safe alternative because it has no side effects.

How does orange peel extract work?

Orange peel extract is being researched and there are several possibilities as to how it stops heartburn. Some believe that it helps food move through the stomach, forbidding food to stay in the esophagus for a long period of time. This minimizes the chance for heartburn. It can also work as a surfactant, which reduces the surface tension of a liquid and would decrease the potential for the hydrochloric acid to splash.

How much orange peel extract should I take?

It is recommended that 1,000 mg be taken every other day, which was used in the scientific studies. Look for a product with 98.5% purity of d-limonene, found in the orange peel extract.

How does orange peel extract cure heartburn?

Almost 90% of the participants in the studies said that their heartburn was happening less after two weeks and about one-third said that they had a resolution of the heartburn after about two days. Even better, participants said that although they stopped take the orange peel extract, two weeks after they hadn’t felt heartburn. On a scale of 1-10 (10= mild and 1= severe), the study participants had an average rating of 7.8 and two weeks after the end of taking the orange peel extract they stopped having any heartburn. Seldom, some people felt heartburn after eating the foods that they previously avoided, but a single orange peel extract pill solved the problem.

Is orange peel extract safe?

It is an all-natural product, which makes it safe for many people. You should always follow the directions on the bottle.

You shouldn’t take it if you are pregnant or nursing or if you have an ulcer. Ulcers will create a burning irritating sensation. Children shouldn’t be given the orange peel extract because it has not been tested on them yet. Orange peel extract has been used in cancer studies for many years, and scientists haven’t found any adverse effects.

Does orange peel extract affect cancer?

Research has discovered that orange peel extract has prevented cancer activity by inhibiting the way cancer cells divide and grow. Some cancers that the orange peel extract has prevented are breast, skin, liver, lung, pancreatic, colon, and stomach cancers, in laboratory studies.

One study had 32 cancer patients take the orange peel extract, and no toxicity was observed. Blood analysis revealed that the orange peel extract was absorbed in to their bodies very well. More research is needed on orange peel extract and cancer.

Some important last notes

Frequent heartburn could mean a more serious condition and if this is you, you should consult a professional health physician.

Conclusion

Heartburn can be very serious. It happens to millions of Americans who spend billions of dollars on medications. Orange peel extract is an inexpensive and safe way to relieve heartburn pain. Orange Peel Extract can be found at any health food store.

Heartburn/GERD is also known as gastroesophagel reflux disease and a more serious condition. When someone reaches this stage then they’ve got something thinking to do particularly if they haven’t sought medical assistance. A word of warning – by trying to go it alone and refusing to seek some medical help means Heartburn/GERD could even develop into a more serious condition, sometimes life threatening.

Avoiding Heartburn/GERD

There are some things you can do or be aware of to cut down the incidence of heartburn/GERD. For instance, avoid eating late at night. This is a point which is continually pushed home by experts yet people don’t seem to be getting the message.

One of the reasons for this is the refusal to make any lifestyle changes. Many are reluctant to compromise their current lifestyle habits and instead, will deal with heartburn when it affects them. This is not a sensible choice because making changes to one’s lifestyle is getting on the right track to eliminating Heartburn/GERD from their lives.

Laying down after a meal is another mistake. In fact, this relates to eating late at night which could even be as early as 7-8pm. Once a person has eaten, the general thing is to sit or lay in front of the TV but if you’re a heartburn?GERD sufferer then this is inviting another attack.

Another cause is diet which again relates to lifestyle. A diet high in fatty foods, dairy products, spicy foods, tomatoes products, and caffeine and citrus is a leading cause of frequent heartburn and GERD. Into days food the general eating habits contribute as well. Many people consume fast foods on the go and drink large amounts of caffeine and carbonated drinks.

Heartburn/GERD Diagnosis And Symptoms

Symptoms are recurrent heartburn, pain or discomfort with acid when lying down, frequently waking up with heartburn at night, coughing or choking feeling, difficulty swallowing, sour taste or stomach acid coming up in the mouth and throwing up blood. These symptoms require that you see your health care specialist for diagnosis and treatment.

If your doctor suspects that you may be suffering from heartburn/GERD they may recommend several different types of tests. A barium x-ray is a somewhat uncomfortable procedure that could help determine if there is heartburn/GERD as well as a test called the endoscopy where a lighted tube is inserted down the throat to examine the esophagus and stomach.

If heartburn is a regular occurrence in your life then you don’t need an explanation of what it is. However, just for the record, it’s the reflux of stomach acid traveling back into the esophagus or food pipe and causing irritation such as a burning sensation which is felt from mid-chest to the top of the throat.

It’s not a very comfortable feeling to suffer it once in awhile, in fact it virtually stinks however, imagine someone suffering heartburn twice or more a week. That’s what we call frequent heartburn.

Living With Heartburn

This is an all too familiar scenario. It’s almost a catch 22 situation for frequent heartburn sufferers. You need to eat however, the frequency of attacks can lead a person to skip meals altogether.

Difficulty swallowing and breathing after consuming a meal from an episode always plays heavily on the mind. It’s not uncommon for heartburn sufferers to suffer weight loss as a result of skipping meals. This is never recommended and a dangerous way to shed pounds.

Consequences

Frequent heartburn can disrupt your quality of life including work and social activities. Suffering an attack at work means trying to deal with it and maintain concentration and focus on the job at hand.

It’s not uncommon for frequent sufferers to suffer from concentration problems which can lead to lack of productivity. Then there is the social scene. How can frequent heartburn affect one here? In many ways including declined invitations to outings involving lunch or dinner as well as alcohol and activities involving any form of exercise such as bike riding and tennis.

Another area frequent heartburn can rear it’s ugly head is during sleep. 20-25% of the population in the US is said to have their sleep patterns affected by heartburn more than once a month. This is a staggering statistic and further evidence of it’s impact in society. Interrupted sleep patterns affect a person’s behavior due to tiredness and irritability.

What Can You Do?

If you are already implementing a plan to avoid frequent heartburn attacks in your life then that’s a good start. For those who think it’s simply their lot in life think again.

There are some excellent resources available to sufferers and the first step you should consider is seeing your local physician. Together, you can devise a plan based on the regular nature of your attacks, the food common with each attack and an adjustment to your lifestyle.

The alarming rate of people who simply try to live with it is also a little alarming. Chronic heartburn means a person is experiencing two or more episodes a week.

Simply dismissing it as your lot in life and trying to mask it with ineffective over the counter products just won’t cut it. Remember, frequent heartburn attacks several times a week means you could quite possibly have acid refux disease.

Chronic heartburn could be the signal that a more serious problem could be at play so getting proper medical advice is just common sense.

Chronic Heartburn Treatment

Treatment methods will usually be a combination of prescription medications and all important changes in lifestyle. There are drugs such as Prilosec and Prevacid that help, even as other medications fail and, are known as proton pump inhibitors that shut off the “pump” that secretes acid into the stomach.

Other medications may only switch off certain receptors within the stomach to reduce acid production and, are known as histamine blockers.

With an estimated 30 to 40 million Americans suffering from heartburn at least once a month, it’s not a condition which should be taken lightly. Chronic heartburn may be the result of weakening of the muscles operating a valve or hiatal hernia or bulge in the diaphragm.

Left untreated, chronic heartburn would end up as an ulceration of the esophagus as well as cause other respiratory problems and, also may result in esophageal cancer.

Chronic Heartburn Symptoms

The following symptoms are associated with chronic heartburn:

- chest burning sensation
- throat burning sensation
- problems swallowing
- food returning to your mouth after swallowing
- problems laying down
- sour and bitter taste in the mouth
- vomiting and belching

More Treatment Methods

In serious cases of chronic heartburn, treatments such as minimally-invasive videoscopic surgery that uses a few small incisions as well as produces less scarring, shorter hospital stays are now being favored over more traditional surgical methods.

Another treatment which can be effective in allowing patients to cut down or dispense with medications is the use of a small endoscopic device that permits the physician to place sutures in the muscles that control the stomach valve and tighten as well as improve stomach valve functioning.

So remember, it’s time to take the all important step of visiting your doctor when you suffer from heartburn two or more times a week, you’ve been experiencing these symptoms over a period of time, getting very little relief from medicines and the symptoms are a constant disruption to your normal daily activities.