We’ve all experienced the discomfort of heartburn after a large or spicy meal. It generally takes the form of a painful, burning sensation in your chest or throat. Most of us pop an over the counter antacid and are feeling better within minutes. However, when heartburn becomes a regular experience in your life, showing up two or more times a week, then it’s more commonly referred to as acid reflux and it can be much more serious. Acid reflux occurs when stomach liquids have backed up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. The burning sensation you experience is caused by the irritation to the lining of the esophagus. Chronic acid reflux occurs when the esophagus never has a chance to heal before the … Read entire article »