To know the symptoms and treatment of acid reflux, you should first understand what exactly this diagnosis means.  Acid reflux disease is commonly associated with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), but having one does not mean you absolutely have the other.   The stomach makes acid to aid in the breakdown of food particles.  Sometimes, if the stomach produces too much hydrochloric acid, it will creep back upward and actually get into the esophagus.  The lower esophageal sphincter, a tiny flap at the bottom of the esophagus, allows food to pass from the esophagus into the stomach.  If the sphincter gets too relaxed or the muscle is weakened food and acid have a greater chance to reflux upward.

For many acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) sufferers, diet overhaul is the first recommendation.  There are many foods that we think are healthy, but in fact can cause an increased amount of acid in the stomach, thus the chances a painful battle with acid reflux are greater.   Below you’ll find a few simple tips and hints that may be helpful in controlling symptoms related to acid reflux: