Is Acid Reflux Dangerous?

Is Acid Reflux Dangerous?

With more and more people suffering from chronic heartburn, many of them want to know is acid reflux dangerous or not? This is a very good question, but not the easiest one to answer. Acid reflux on its own is not terminal, however if the condition is left untreated and becomes chronic, then yes, acid reflux can lead to health complications that can become more dangerous.

A Sign That Something Is Not Quite Right

If you are suffering from acid reflux, then your digestive system is telling you that something is wrong and it needs to be fixed. Most people with this condition go about treating their reflux the wrong way. They often take the quick fix route by taking antacids, proton inhibitors and H2 blockers.

These medications will often help you experience short-term relief, however you need to keep taking them to maintain the desired effect. This can easily lead to an addiction. Remember these pills will not cure your acid reflux and if you keep taking them, your acid reflux can eventually become dangerous.

Many of the over the counter drugs and medications your doctor prescribes are designed to interfere with your stomachs production of acid. A lack of acid in your stomach can actually acerbate the symptoms. Your stomach cells secrete acid for a number of very important reasons. It is vital for breaking down food in to a more digestible state.

Stomach acid is also essential for the absorption of nutrients and minerals, as well as inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria. By reducing your stomach acid you actually prevent proper digestion, absorption and the control of disease-causing bacteria.

The Common Cause Of Acid Reflux

The most common cause of acid reflux is undigested food. Due to a lack of acid the stomach can no longer break it down and it sits there, stubbornly rotting away in the pit of your stomach. As a lack of acid cannot effectively control the growth of bad bacteria they cause the undigested food to ferment and give off toxic gases.

As this undigested food and toxic gases build up the pressure pushes open the lower sphincter, which is the muscular valve to that keeps acid in the stomach. This makes it much easier for the acid and gas to escape into the esophagus. The acid and gas irritate the sensitive lining of the esophagus causing symptoms such as heartburn.

Although, they provide short-term relief acid reflux medications will never solve the problem because they only focus on the symptoms and not the cause. By being dependent on medications you are just ignoring or covering up the problems your digestion system is trying to communicate to you.

The Sign Of An Unbalanced Digestive System

Acid reflux is a sign that your digestive system is unbalanced, but you can rebalance it by changing the foods you eat and how your eat them. For example fat, greasy fried foods are very hard for our digestion to breakdown. Do your digestion and your health a favour by cutting out these foods and replacing them with natural whole foods that include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

These foods also contain natural digestive enzymes that will help you digest your foods for effectively. Also, avoid eating large meals as this puts more pressure on your digestion, making it harder for it to breakdown foods. Try to eat smaller portions or have more, but smaller portioned meals throughout the day.