Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat, known as heartburn, and can also lead to other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, or sore throat.
Acid reflux symptoms
The most common symptom of acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is heartburn. Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest or throat that is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus.
Other symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Regurgitation: A sour or bitter taste in the mouth caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus.
- Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing, which can be caused by the narrowing of the esophagus due to acid damage.
- Chest pain: A burning or squeezing sensation in the chest that can mimic a heart attack.
- Persistent cough: Stomach acid can irritate the airways and cause a persistent cough.
- Sore throat: Stomach acid can irritate the throat and cause a sore throat.
- Hoarseness: Stomach acid can cause inflammation in the voice box, leading to hoarseness.
- Laryngitis: Stomach acid can reflux into the voice box, causing hoarseness, sore throat and laryngitis.
It is important to note that these symptoms may be caused by other conditions and it’s best to consult with a doctor or healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of acid reflux.
What causes Acid reflux?
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is caused by a malfunctioning of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. The LES is responsible for preventing stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.
When the LES becomes weak or relaxed, stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus, causing symptoms of acid reflux. Some common causes of a malfunctioning LES include:
- Hiatal hernia: A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach bulges into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm. This can cause the LES to relax and allow stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is a chronic condition in which the LES does not function properly and stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese can put pressure on the stomach and make it easier for acid to reflux into the esophagus.
- Pregnancy: The growing uterus can put pressure on the stomach and exacerbate acid reflux.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, alcohol consumption and certain foods and drinks, such as chocolate, citrus fruits, and caffeine, can also trigger acid reflux symptoms.
- Medications: Some medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and calcium channel blockers, can relax the LES and make it easier for acid to reflux into the esophagus.
It is important to note that these are not the only causes of acid reflux and it’s best to consult with a doctor or healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of acid reflux.
How to get rid of acid reflux
There are several ways to help alleviate acid reflux symptoms and reduce the likelihood of experiencing them:
- Lifestyle changes: Avoiding certain foods and drinks that can trigger acid reflux symptoms, such as spicy foods, fried foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help to alleviate pressure on the stomach.
- Avoid lying down after eating: Lying down after eating can allow stomach acid to more easily flow into the esophagus. It is best to wait at least two to three hours after eating before lying down.
- Raise the head of your bed: Raising the head of the bed can help to keep stomach acid in the stomach while you sleep.
- Wear loose-fitting clothes: Tight-fitting clothes can put pressure on the stomach, which can cause acid to reflux into the esophagus.
- Quit smoking: Smoking can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, which can make it easier for stomach acid to flow into the esophagus.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can put pressure on the stomach and make it easier for acid to reflux into the esophagus.
- Avoid certain medications: Some medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and calcium channel blockers, can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and make it easier for acid to reflux into the esophagus.
- Medications: Over-the-counter antacids can neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from heartburn symptoms. Prescription medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 receptor blockers, can help to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms.
It’s important to note that these methods may not work for everyone and it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of acid reflux. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the underlying problem with the LES.
Foods to avoid with acid reflux
Certain foods and drinks can trigger acid reflux symptoms, such as heartburn and indigestion. It’s important to pay attention to your body and identify which foods and drinks trigger your symptoms. However, some common foods and drinks to avoid with acid reflux include:
- Spicy foods: Foods that are high in spices can irritate the esophagus and cause acid reflux symptoms.
- Fried foods: Foods that are high in fat can slow down digestion and put pressure on the stomach, which can cause acid reflux symptoms.
- Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits can increase acid production in the stomach and trigger acid reflux symptoms.
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains a compound called methylxanthine, which can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and allow stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.
- Caffeine: Caffeine can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter and trigger acid reflux symptoms.
- Alcohol: Alcohol consumption can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter and increase acid production in the stomach, which can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
- Tomatoes and tomato-based products: Tomatoes and tomato-based products are acidic and can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
- Garlic and onions: Garlic and onions can cause heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.
Acid reflux medicine
There are several types of medications that can be used to treat acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The specific medication or combination of medications used to treat acid reflux will depend on the severity of the condition and the individual’s symptoms.
Some common medications used to treat acid reflux include:
- Antacids: Antacids can neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from heartburn symptoms. They can be taken as over-the-counter medication.
- H2 receptor blockers: These medications, such as famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet) and ranitidine (Zantac), can reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms.
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): These medications, such as omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and esomeprazole (Nexium), can also reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms.
- Prokinetics: These medications, such as metoclopramide (Reglan), can help to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and prevent acid reflux symptoms.
- Pro-motility agents : Medications such as erythromycin can help to stimulate the muscles that push food through the stomach and can help prevent acid reflux.
It’s important to note that these medications may not work for everyone and it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of acid reflux. They also have some side effects and should be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider or doctor. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the underlying problem with the LES.