Acid Reflux Symptoms and Treatment

The medical term used by doctors for the Acid Reflux is ‘Gastro esophageal Reflux’. It describes the condition where the food consumed and the stomach acid flow back into the esophagus. A set of muscles below the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens and closes to give way for food to enter the stomach. After meals, it opens to release the gas. In some cases, some of the stomach contents may get released back to the esophagus and the mouth. It is important to know in detail about the Acid Reflux symptoms and treatment to take appropriate action at the right time. The first step would ideally be to identify the causes for Acid Reflux.

Although there is no particular factor causing Acid Reflux, some reasons have been identified as probabilities such as:

• Hiatal Hernia causes Acid Reflux. This is a condition wherein the upper part of the stomach is on the diaphragm, the muscle wall that separates the stomach and the chest. The diaphragm also prevents the stomach acid from getting back to the esophagus. When hiatal hernia occurs, this is upset and acid reflux is caused.
• Use of Alcohol
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Excess weight

Certain foods also cause Acid reflux. These are:

• Citrus fruits
• Chocolate
• Caffeine drinks
• Fatty food
• Fried items
• Garlic, Onions and mint flavors
• Tomato based food

Symptoms of Acid Reflux

The main symptoms of Acid Reflux are as follows:

Ø      Persistent heartburn

Ø      Acid regurgitation

Ø      Pain in the chest

Ø      Hoarseness in the voice

Ø      Pain in swallowing

Ø      Choking

Ø      Dry cough

Ø      Bad breath

In children too, the following symptoms of Acid Reflux need to be noticed:

• Frequent Spitting or vomiting
• Irritability or discomfort while feeding
• Reduced or no food consumption
• Constant or sudden crying
• Infants bending or rather arching their backs while feeding
• Burps accompanied by spitting
• Frequent hiccups and coughing
• Reduced sleeping hours
• Bad breath

Acid Reflux Treatment

The first step in treating Acid Reflux is to adopt simple lifestyle changes as follows:

• Stop smoking
• Stop alcohol consumption
• Lose any excess weight
• Eat smaller meals
• Wear loosely fitting clothes
• Do not sleep or even lie down for atleast 3 hours after meals
• Raise the head of the bed by a few inches

The next stage of Acid Reflux cure is to prescribe over-the-counter remedies and medications as detailed below:

• Antacids to relieve heartburn caused by Acid Reflux
• Foaming agents that produce foam layers to protect the stomach contents
• Hydrogen blockers that impede acid production
• Proton pump inhibitors that are more effective than Hydrogen blockers
• Prokinetics group of medicines that help empty stomach faster

In more serious conditions, the treatment would shift to tests like pH monitoring, Upper endoscopy, radiation tests etc. If symptoms still persist, Acid Reflux surgery will be conducted.

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