Characterized by heartburn, there is no known cause of acid reflux, however, your diet may be the link between acid reflux and a good night out on the town.

During the digestive process, the valve between the oesophagus and stomach opens up when food is swallowed. So, what is symptoms of acid reflux disease?

Normally, stomach acid is kept back from "refluxing" back into the oesophagus. When its not working properly, the painful symptom of heartburn occurs.

There are plenty of treatments for heartburn and acid reflux relief. From natural remedies to chemically assisted solutions, your doctor can prescribe medications for acid reflux that will help to treat it.

The Basics of Acid Reflux

Are you one of the 15 million people who suffers from acid reflux? Symptoms range from an acidic taste in the mouth and burping, to abdominal and chest pains. Luckily, there are many ways to treat reflux symptoms, so it doesn't have to become a debilitating disease.

Some heartburn remedies simply involve a change in habits. One cause of this malady is over-eating, which makes it a big problem around holidays. "The holiday season is clearly one of the worst times of the year for patients with GERD," says William Chey, M.D., a University of Michigan gastroenterologist. "The large amounts of food we eat during the holidays, and the types of food served during the holidays - especially fatty and caffeinated foods - can be a recipe for disaster for chronic heartburn sufferers." When we eat large amounts of food, the stomach stretches and the Lower Esophageal Sphincter naturally relaxes. Instead of three big meals or one big meal, try eating smaller meals continuously throughout the day to keep acid production normalized.

If you're a chronic sufferer, there are some basic foods you should avoid as much as possible. Fatty, greasy food can be a big problem, since the stomach needs to produce more acid to break down these substances. You know where that excess acid winds up -- coming back up the oesophagus! Less obvious culprits are caffeine in drinks, ice cream and chocolate, which may also exacerbate heartburn acid reflux. Red wine is a frequent cause of heartburn too, as are spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, spearmint and pepper.

The time of day and post-eating rituals have a significant impact on heartburn and acid reflux. Dr. William Chey adds, "Gravity actually serves as an important barrier for acid reflux during the day. So when you lie down at night after eating a meal, you no longer have that gravity barrier to prevent acid reflux." It's recommended that you try to remain relatively upright for two or three hours after eating. People who try lifting and bending immediately after eating a big meal typically have trouble with too. Avoid tight clothing that may worsen symptoms. Smoking also causes the oesophagus valve to relax.

The good news is that people with GERD symptoms can find quick, over-the-counter relief. For the occasional sufferer, Tums, Alkaseltzer and Maalox can all neutralize stomach acid quickly and effectively. Likewise, Histamine 2-Receptor Antagonists like Pepcid or Zantac can be effective, longer-lasting medications that fight acid reflux. However, those with chronic heartburn will want something stronger like Prilosec or Nexium Proton Pump Inhibitors that suppress acid production. Reglan speeds up the digestion process and a drug like the over-the-counter Gaviscon neutralizes acid and creates a foam barrier to prevent acid from seeping back up again.

Acid reflux is a particularly unpleasant problem, but it doesn't have to be a debilitating one. Ask your doctor about preventative, over-the-counter and prescription reflux treatment options. WebMD.com provides a wealth of information for the curious. Find the relief you need today!