Do you have Acid Reflux?

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is when the acid that is normally in your stomach backs up into the esophagus, tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. It is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

• Burning sensation in the chest (heart burn)

• Cough

• Burning in the throat or an acid taste in the throat

• Stomach pain

• Trouble swallowing

• sore throat or hoarseness

• Recurrent lung infection

Behavioral modifications of Acid Reflux

• Avoid certain food and beverages such as caffeine, peppermint, spicy food, greasy food, chocolate, Soda, pepper, citrus food, chewing gum and alcohol

• Avoid smoking

• If you're overweight, losing weight can help control acid reflux symptoms

• Avoid medications such as ibuprofen (also known as Motrin / Advil), Aspirin, Aleve

• Avoid going to bed soon after eating (avoid going to bed at least 3 hrs. after eating), when going to bed elevate the head of the bed by 6 to 8 inch

• Avoid tight fitting clothes

Treatment for Acid reflux

• Over the counter antacids such as Tums can neutralize the stomach acid and provide relief

• For persistent symptoms your doctor can prescribe antihistamines such as Zantac or Pepcid or Proton pump inhibitor such as Prilosec / Nexium / Protonix

• Proton pump inhibitors are the most effective medications in the treatment of GERD, however they also contain a lot of adverse effects

What if symptoms persist despite medication and behavioral modifications?

If the symptoms persist despite medications and behavioral modifications or if you experience unintentional weight loss, feeling of food getting stuck, vomiting blood or blood in stool your doctor will order Endoscopy to rule out more serious medical conditions.

An upper endoscopy is commonly used to evaluate the esophagus. A small, flexible tube is passed into the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. The tube has a light source and a camera that displays magnified images. Damage to the lining of these structures can be evaluated and a small sample of tissue (biopsy) can be taken to determine the extent of tissue damage.

What are the complications of long term GERD?

• Ulcer - Ulcers can form in the esophagus as a result of burning from stomach acid.

• Stricture - Damage from acid can cause the esophagus to scar and narrow, causing a blockage (stricture) that can cause food or pills to get stuck in the esophagus.

• Barret's Esophagus – During repeated exposure of stomach acid in the esophagus there is a risk of esophagus lining (squamous cells) to change into a different type of cell (intestinal cell). This change has a potential to develop into cancer cells

• Esophageal cancer

Resources :

• International foundation for functional gastrointestinal disorders

• https://www.aboutgerd.org/about-us.html

• Acid reflux recipes

• http://www.refluxmd.com/acid-reflux-recipes/