Acid reflux is a long lasting condition with frequent relapses in a lot of patients. The problem resulting in acid reflux is always related to the lower esophageal sphincter. When the lower esophageal sphincter becomes incompetent, no medical treatment will correct it. Acid reflux treatment is to lessen the acid level in the stomach regurgitating back up into the esophagus. This means that the reflux will continue but the refluxate, being less acidic, is unlikely to injure the esophagus.
The lining of the esophagus does not cope with high acid levels as well as the gastric lining. Persistent high acid in the esophagus will result in symptoms and complication such as strictures, bleeding and Barrett's esophagus. In some acid reflux patients, the problems can get progressively worse.
The commonest symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. Do not worry unnecessarily if you have heartburn. Most of us have heartburn at some time or other especially when we over indulge. Usually a single dose of antacid settles the problem. However, if the heartburn symptoms return after treatment and become frequent then the lower esophageal sphincter may be faulty and opens when it should not. Heartburn is present in up to 20% of the general public and of these up to 10% have erosion of the esophagus.
There may be factors that influence the competence of the LES and by eliminating them you may well control your acid reflux. On the other hand if it is true lower esophageal sphincter incompetence, then you will need specific acid reflux treatment by your doctor or surgery.
In addition to heartburn, acid reflux can produce other types of chest pains. This may cause worry to sufferers because there is a fear that it could be a heart attack and quite a few of these patients end up in the Accident and Emergency departments of hospitals. Other symptoms of acid Reflux are difficulty in swallowing, chronic cough, acidic taste in the mouth, burning feeling in the throat, uncomfortable feeling in the upper abdomen and chest.
In some cases of acid reflux there are the symptoms such as gum disease, persistent clearing of the throat, hoarseness of the voice,recurrent sinusitis andhalitosis. In addition when acid reflux reaches as far as the throat and mouth, then damage to teeth can occur in addition to gum disease. The enamel of teeth can be worn down and cavities can develop. From the list above you can see that acid reflux can be a serious problem if not treated adequately. If the acid reflux treatment you are using at home is not working and you think you have gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), see your doctor.
What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach are pushed back up into the esophagus. Stomach contents contain acid and enzymes, which can damage the lining of the esophagus, and which cause the symptoms of heartburn.
What causes Acid Reflux?
There is a small muscle between the esophagus and the stomach that forms a barrier between them. Normally, the muscle relaxes and opens the entry into the stomach when you swallow, so that food can pass into your stomach. After the food goes into your stomach, the muscle contracts and closes off the entrance.
In acid reflux, the muscle relaxes and allows stomach contents to go backward, back up into the esophagus
Are there risk factors for Acid Reflux?
Yes. The risk factors for acid reflux include: Obesity Smoking Hiatal hernia Pregnancy Asthma (it's unclear if this is actually a risk factor, or if asthma and acid reflux are related in some other way, but they often go together) Diabetes Peptic Ulcer Delayed stomach emptying Connective tissue disorders Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
What are the symptoms of Acid Reflux?
A burning sensation in your chest or throat.? ? Sour or bitter taste in your mouth. Belching. Wheezing. Hoarseness. Cough.
The symptoms of acid reflux also have a few special characteristics: They usually get worse when you lie down or bend over. Eating usually makes them worse. Certain foods make them worse. Antacids usually help. Exercise doesn't usually make the symptoms either better or worse.
? ?The symptoms of acid reflux may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. If you experience pain or burning in your chest and/or throat, sweating and/or shortness of breath, call 911. DO NOT waste time trying to figure out if it's serious or not. It's important to get treatment for heart attack as soon as possible. DO NOT drive yourself to the doctor's office or hospital.
What can I do to get relief from Acid Reflux?
1.Use antacids or over-the-counter medications for heartburn and acid indigestion. Sodium bicarbonate is not recommended because it contains too much sodium. 2.Eat smaller meals. 3.Don't lie down for at least 45 minutes after eating 4.Watch your diet. Fatty foods, spicy foods, onions, tomatoes, chocolate, caffeine-containing beverages, alcohol and carbonated beverages frequently cause acid reflux. Pay attention to the things that cause you to have indigestion, and eliminate them from your diet. 5.Raise the head of your bed. This may keep you from waking up at night with indigestion. 6.Lose weight. 7.Stop smoking. 8.Talk to your doctor about your medications, including prescriptions and any vitamins or minerals you take. Avoid taking aspirin or other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen.
Knowing what causes acid reflux helps you decide what changes you can make to get relief from the symptoms today.
Both Dr.phil Hariram & Christopher W Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dr.phil Hariram has sinced written about articles on various topics from . Dr. Phil Hariram has treated for 27 years. His website: