However, after a sufferer of acid reflux eats, the food goes through that trap-door, mixes with the acids and then somehow pushes against the trap-door which gives way, allowing the food and acid to re-enter the esophagus. Now, since these acids are designed to attack and dissolve tissue, this is very bad news for the sufferer as his esophagus will be attacked too.

This acid reflux (or flow of acid) into the esophagus can cause inflammation and discomfort, dyspepsia, and regurgitation. Unfortunately, once the hinges on that trap-door have been broken and have started to allow the door to open both ways, there is not much chance that they will repair themselves on their own. In fact, the chances are that they will only get worse.

In truth, everyone gets a little reflux from time to time, but the acid in the sufferer is stronger and the mixture stays in the esophagus longer, which is what causes the situation to become a difficulty.

The body has developed a natural way of dealing with the mild acid reflux in healthy people and it is known as saliva. Saliva is alkaline, so while you swallow hundreds of times a day, your saliva counteracts the acid. Most people experience reflux after eating, which is of course usually done during the day whilst we are normally in an upright position. Swallowing saliva also happens mostly in the daytime.

I am certain that you can see a pattern here: reflux is in the daytime when we can swallow saliva to neutralize it and while the force of gravity will impede the acid rising up from the stomach.

Most sufferers of acid reflux get difficulties at night, while gravity cannot help and the swallowing of saliva is at a minimum. Therefore, the acid, untreated by alkaline saliva, stays in the esophagus burning and irritating it.

The pregnant and the obese are most at risk of developing acid reflux because of the extra abdominal bulk.

So, how do you treat this chronic condition? Well, you should of course consult your doctor, who might recommend alkaline tablets, but if you would like to help yourself too, you could lose weight if you are obese; not eat late at night or even late evening; reduce the fat you consume and sleep with more pillows to raise your head and torso. You will have to carry out trials with these home remedies to find out what suits you.

You might find that not eating after eight is OK for you, or it may be six o’ clock. You might find that not eating meat or cheese after lunch will do it for you and you may find that raising your head six or eight inches on extra pillows at night will help as well.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on a number of subjects, but is now concerned with Marriott bedding. If you want to know more, please visit our website at Modern Throw Pillows For Sale.