Each year, over 3 million people (about 20% of the US population) are affected by acid reflux disease, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), making it an extremely common gastrointestinal disease that is treatable by a medical professional. Acid reflux is one of the most popular reasons people visit a gastroenterologist. Acid reflux occurs when a burning pain, commonly known as heartburn, occurs in the lower area of the chest cavity.
What causes acid reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus from the stomach. This backflow can irritate the lining of your esophagus causing heartburn, pain, and chronic discomfort. This occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter muscle at the end of the esophagus relaxes at the wrong time after food passes into the stomach. Acid can flow back as far as your throat and mouth leaving a sour taste.
Anyone of any age can experience acid reflux disease, but there are groups of people that are classified at higher risk of getting it. Those over 40 years of age are automatically at a higher risk of developing it.
Those also at higher risk include:
Pregnant woman
Those who are classified as overweight or obese
Smokers
Those who are taking medications that can cause acid reflux
One of the most common causes for acid reflux disease, aside from food and lifestyle choices, include Hiatal hernias. These arise when the upper stomach and lower esophageal sphincter reposition themselves above the diaphragm. This allows easier access for the acid to transmit from your stomach back up into your esophagus.
What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
The most common symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. It is a burning sensation, that can be painful, in the center of your chest. It tends to worsen after eating or drinking or when lying flat, which can affect your overall quality of sleep.
Other symptoms include:
Bad breath
Difficulty swallowing
A hoarse voice, especially upon waking
Chest pain
Dry cough
A sensation that you are choking or that food is stuck in your throat
Nausea
Frequent belching
Stomach discomfort
Sore throat
Regurgitation
A bitter taste in your mouth
Are there specific foods or factors that increase acid reflux symptoms?
Making changes to your food and eating habits can play a crucial role in your overall experience of acid reflux symptoms. Mitigating the symptoms is a huge factor in managing the chronic disease. As you begin to adjust your diet, it is highly recommended that you keep a food log that lists out foods that lower your symptoms and those that increase them so you know what to add and avoid in your daily diet.
The most common foods that cause acid reflux for a large number of individuals include:
Citrus fruit and drinks (oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and their juices)
Spicy foods
Fried foods
Foods high in fat content
Garlic
Onion
Tomato sauce (all varieties)
Alcohol
Coffee
Carbonated drinks (soda, seltzer water)
Along with foods, there are other lifestyle triggers to be aware of when it comes to lessening the symptoms from acid reflux disease.
Avoid:
Snacking at bedtime.
Smoking.
Eating large meals in one sitting.
Lying down shortly after eating.
What treatment is available for acid reflux?
There are various treatments available for acid reflux disease. Medications come in both over-the-counter and prescription options. It is likely that you will begin treatment using OTC medication before moving onto something stronger. Your treatment regime will be determined by your gastroenterologist.
Treatment can include:
Antacids. Some brand names include Tums, Rolaids, or Maalox.
Protein Pump Inhibitors act as acid-blocking medicine and work to heal damaged esophageal tissue. Some brand names include Prilosec, Nexium or Prevacid.
H-2 Receptor Blockers that work to decrease acid production in your body. Some brand name options include Pepcid AC or Zantac.
Baclofen, a prescription medication that acts to reduce the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, thus preventing excess acid to make its way back up the esophagus causing acid reflux symptoms.
Typically the symptoms of acid reflux can be controlled pretty aggressively with lifestyle and eating habit changes along with medication. In some extreme cases, surgery may be the best option to treat your specific case. Surgery options include laparoscopic antireflux surgery or LINX device implant surgery. Both procedures are minimally invasive and aim to help the valve between the stomach and esophagus to remain closed properly at the correct time.
In general, almost everyone experiences a bout of heartburn or acid reflux at some point in their life. Having it on rare occasions is considered relatively normal, but experiencing it often, over two to three times a week over several weeks, indicates a chronic issue that needs to be taken care of by your gastrointestinal specialist. If you notice yourself downing antacids or over-the-counter heartburn medications frequently, contact your doctor to discuss better ways to diagnose, treat and manage your acid reflux disease.