Acid reflux is a common disease that causes a burning pain, called as heartburn, in the lower chest part. It occurs when stomach acid drips back into the oesophagus. To understand this disease, it must understand how food passes through the body. When a person swallows food, the tongue pushes it down the throat and into a muscular tube called the oesophagus. This channel helps the food to go from the mouth to the stomach.
At the bottom of the oesophagus is a muscular ring known as a sphincter. It opens when you swallow to allow food to pass into your stomach and then closes again so that food cannot flow back up out of your stomach. However, if this sphincter is not working properly, it may allow acid from your stomach to move back up into your oesophagus, resulting in symptoms of acid reflux. It is most commonly caused by overeating and eating hard-to-digest foods, such as fast food or processed foods. Eating these foods relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, allowing stomach contents to flow back (or reflux) into the food pipe. This can lead to heartburn’s characteristic pain, a burning sensation in your chest or throat. Other signs and symptoms of Gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) are as follows-
- Regurgitation
- Bloating
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain or discomfort when lying down after eating
- Burping
- Hiccups that don’t let up
- Nausea when eating
- Weight loss for no known reason
Risk Factors
Occasional heartburn usually isn’t a concern. However, frequent chest pain like more than twice a week could indicate acid reflux disease, which if left untreated can lead to serious health risks. There are a number of different things that can cause this muscle to not function properly-
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Pregnancy
- Hiatal hernia (a protrusion of part of the stomach through an opening in the diaphragm)
- Certain medications such as bronchodilators, calcium channel blockers and nitrates used to treat high blood pressure, antihistamines and sedatives
- Obesity
- Eating large meals or eating right before bedtime
- Consuming chocolate, carbonated beverages, caffeine or alcohol
Many things can aggravate acid reflux, including lifestyle, medication, diet, pregnancy, weight gain, and certain medical conditions. Symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation of bitter acid into the throat, bitter taste in mouth, chest pain, dry cough, hoarseness, feeling of tightness in the throat, and wheezing.
When to see a doctor
If you experience occasional chest pain, you probably know how to manage it and when treatment is appropriate.
However, if you have frequent episodes of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)(more than twice a week), it’s known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a much more serious condition that, left untreated, can eventually lead to precancerous changes in cells (Barrett’s oesophagus) and an increased risk of cancer. Treatments for GERD include OTC and prescription medication and lifestyle changes.
Medications that can help treat reflux diseases
A variety of medications can help alleviate heartburn. These include antacids, H2 blockers, and PPIs. Antacids neutralize stomach acids and work quickly to relieve symptoms. People who experience heartburn frequently may find that over-the-counter antacids provide some relief. Medications known as H2 blockers reduce the amount of stomach acid made by glands in the lining of the stomach. They are available over the counter, but stronger versions are available by prescription.
Prescription treatments
Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, lower the amount of acid your stomach produces. They’re the most effective option for people with acid reflux who don’t experience relief from other treatments. If you have chronic GERD, you may need to take PPIs on a daily basis. Some common brand names include Nexium, Prilosec, Zegerid, and Prevacid.
H-2 receptor blockers work by reducing the production of stomach acid. Examples include famotidine (Pepcid) and nizatidine (Axid). These acid reflux tablets can be taken on an empty stomach every day or as needed to relieve your symptoms.
Antacids neutralize stomach acid and provide rapid short-term symptom relief. They’re not usually recommended for long-term use since they can cause diarrhea, constipation, and other side effects if used for too long. Some brands include Tums, Alka-Seltzer, Maalox, Rolaids, and Mylanta Gas.
Foods to avoid
There is no specific diet to treat Gastroesophageal reflux disease Nevertheless, certain foods may help relieve heartburn in some people. Eating a heart-healthy diet that includes lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may help reduce the frequency of heartburn. The following foods may also aggravate symptoms-
Meats and eggs
Some people mistakenly believe that these are good foods for acid reflux. This is not so. In fact, meats and eggs have been shown to increase stomach acid production, which can cause more Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Dairy products other than yogurt or kefir
These can trigger relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter muscle (LES). It is best to choose unsweetened varieties of these foods to prevent aggravating symptoms.
Foods containing fat or oil
Fatty foods relax the LES and slow down digestion, allowing more stomach acid to back up into the oesophagus.
Alcohol and caffeine
These substances can also relax the LES and increase stomach acid production.
Citrus fruits and tomatoes
Some people experience a burning sensation after eating these foods, due to their high acid content. The effect is worse when a person lies flat after eating them or when their stomach is already full from other foods.
Foods to eat in case of GERD
The following foods can help relieve symptoms of acid reflux-
Ginger is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been widely used to treat gastrointestinal conditions.
Almond milk can also be very helpful, because it is alkaline and can relieve acidity. Almonds have also been found to prevent the overproduction of acid.
Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, green beans, potatoes are ideally suited for preventing the onset of Gastroesophageal reflux disease. These vegetables have low acidic content which helps in reducing the burning sensation in the chest area.
Fruits such as apple and banana help in maintaining proper pH levels in the stomach. Apples are especially good at providing relief from an heartburn attack due to their alkaline nature whereas bananas are excellent sources of potassium which helps in regulating digestive juices.
Lifestyle changes
There are some lifestyle changes you can make that may help reduce the frequency and severity of your disease-
- Avoid large meals at dinner. Eat small, frequent meals instead.
- Avoid eating before bedtime.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, losing weight can help reduce your symptoms.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Tight belts and waistbands put pressure on your stomach, which can cause acid to reflux into your oesophagus.
- Avoid lying down after eating. Before you lie down after a meal, wait for at least two and a half to three hours. Gravity usually helps keep acid reflux at bay. When you have a meal, it calls out for a nap. Try going for a walk instead if you feel drowsy after eating.
- Stop smoking. Smoking impairs the stomach valve’s ability to function properly.
If you’re standing up, gravity helps keep acid in the stomach. However, when you lie down at night, it’s easier for that acid to move up into your food pipe, causing the burning sensation in the chest pain. The most obvious way to reduce night-time heartburn is to sleep on a incline. The head end of your bed should be 6-8 inches higher than the foot end. Some people do this by stacking pillows or using a wedge-shaped cushion.
Another option is to use an adjustable bed that elevates your upper body while you’re sleeping. It’s also important to avoid eating late in the day and lying down right after your meal, which can both make Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) worse.
