Acid Reflux Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
Acid reflux disease is commonly associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). They are not one in the same, but are usually referred to as being so and if you have acid reflux, that doesn’t automatically mean you have GERD. Acid reflux is an action, whereas GERD is an actual diagnosed disease. The stomach normally produces hydrochloric acid to aid in food breakdown and digestion. You also have a tiny flap, or sphincter, at the end of your esophagus which is the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. If the flap is too relaxed or weakened, it will not properly close. This allows that nasty stomach acid to travel upward, or reflux, into the esophagus.
Your stomach has a protective covering so the acid won’t typically harm it; your esophagus does not. This reflux of acid is what typically causes the burning sensation in the chest area usually termed heartburn.
Along with heartburn, acid reflux can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, throat pain and burning, hoarseness and even earaches. Acid reflux typically affects adults, however children and infants are not left out.
Several factors can cause acid reflux including: pregnancy, obesity and tight-fitting clothing which increase abdominal pressure; hiatal hernias which weaken the lower esophageal sphincter and provide a nice ‘hidey’ hole for acid to accumulate; dietary intake of fatty and fried foods and foods high in acid; and lifestyle habits such as lying down directly after eating and overeating. Any of these or combination of these may result in a higher probability of suffering from acid reflux. Likewise, changing lifestyle habits and eating habits may help the symptomatology.
The prevalence of acid reflux is alarming. Over half of the world population is expected to experience acid reflux at least one time in their lives. Those who do nothing can expect symptoms more often. GERD is diagnosed typically when a patient has acid reflux symptoms 2 or more times per week on a recurrent basis. If acid reflux is left untreated, the likelihood of developing a hernia or even esophageal cancer increases.
Treatment options for acid reflux are many. On the market today there are a plethora of prescription and over-the-counter medication available for symptom control and acid blocking effects. Prior to taking any medication, discuss with your physician potential side effects and contraindications with any other medicines you take on a regular basis.
Surgical intervention is becoming more and more popular as well. The most common procedure is called fundoplication and it mainly aids in strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter, as well as hernia repair if indeed there is one. Surgery however isn’t always permanent and patient’s find themselves still plagued with taking PPIs and H2 blockers for a period of time after surgery. Other treatments for acid reflux are lifestyle change and dietary modification. Your physician can give you a good foods and bad foods list, as well as instruct you on anything that needs to be changed regarding sleep positions and other lifestyle behaviors.
Likely, your provider will encourage you to limit or eliminate coffee, chocolate, fried foods, caffeine and carbonated beverages, and even advise smokers to break that habit. Some acid reflux sufferers have also tried natural supplements and herbal remedies to aid in symptom control.
So now you know: GERD is a clinical diagnosis, acid reflux is the action of regurgitated acid into the esophagus and heartburn pain one of the many symptoms associated with the two. It is advised for anyone who does not benefit from diet changes and lifestyle modifications in an attempt to gain better control of acid reflux, to contact their physician or primary care provider for further treatment options.
