People with acid reflux may experience heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation. These symptoms may increase after meals and when sleeping. The severity of cases can vary. For some people, the symptoms can be mild and infrequent, while for others they can be more frequent and more severe.
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HEALTH CONDITION
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a common medical condition in which stomach contents leak into the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. This tube is called the esophagus. Stomach contents are acidic, which can cause pain and tissue damage in the esophagus. Severe cases can lead to increased risk of problems with the esophagus. These include inflammation, constriction, and cancer. Treatment may help reduce these risks.
Symptoms
Causes
Normally, a muscle between the stomach and esophagus prevents reflux. When closed, this muscle keeps stomach contents from entering the esophagus. Reflux can occur if this muscle relaxes for an extended period of time. Alcohol and tobacco use can relax this muscle and contribute to symptoms. Body position can also affect reflux. Lying down can increase acid backflow into the esophagus. This is why some people have more symptoms when going to bed. Some foods can increase symptoms, including orange juice, coffee, and anything spicy. Acid reflux is also common during pregnancy.
Treatment
There are many different treatments for acid reflux. Treatment can include avoiding acidic and spicy foods, staying away from tobacco and alcohol, and elevating the head of the bed. Over-the-counter medications may treat infrequent, mild symptoms of acid reflux. Your prescriber may prescribe medications for severe or long-lasting symptoms.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between acid reflux, GERD, and heartburn?
The main differences between acid reflux, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and heartburn are:
• Acid reflux is when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This causes symptoms like heartburn.
• GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It's a more severe and chronic form of acid reflux.
• Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by acid refluxing up from the stomach.
• GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It's a more severe and chronic form of acid reflux.
• Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by acid refluxing up from the stomach.
What causes acid reflux and GERD?
Acid reflux and GERD are caused by stomach acid leaking back up (refluxing) into the esophagus. This happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach) relaxes at the wrong times, allowing stomach contents to flow back up. Some things that can contribute to this include:
• Hiatal hernia - when part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm muscle
• Pregnancy - hormones cause the valve to relax more often
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Some medications
• Eating large meals
• Pregnancy - hormones cause the valve to relax more often
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Some medications
• Eating large meals
How is GERD diagnosed?
If symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, or difficulty swallowing last longer than 2 weeks, your doctor may recommend tests to confirm a diagnosis of GERD. Common tests include:
• Endoscopy - a camera on a flexible tube is used to look at the esophagus, stomach and upper part of the small intestine.
• Esophageal pH and impedance monitoring - a tube is placed through the nose into the esophagus to measure acid levels.
• Esophageal manometry - measures muscle contractions in the esophagus.
• Esophageal pH and impedance monitoring - a tube is placed through the nose into the esophagus to measure acid levels.
• Esophageal manometry - measures muscle contractions in the esophagus.
If you think you may have GERD, consider getting evaluated by a trusted healthcare provider. Amazon One Medical Pay-per-visit. offers acid reflux treatment that may help provide relief for mild to moderate symptoms.
What home remedies help provide heartburn relief?
Here are some home remedies that may help provide heartburn relief:
• Avoid lying down for 2-3 hours after eating. Allow gravity to keep acid down in your stomach.
• Sleep with your head elevated 6-8 inches. This prevents acid from backing up into your esophagus.
• Avoid foods and drinks that can trigger symptoms like caffeine, chocolate, soda, spicy foods, etc.
• Wear loose fitting clothing around your stomach.
• Chew gum - especially after meals. Chewing gum promotes saliva production which can help neutralize stomach acid.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking. Both of these relax the esophageal sphincter muscle, allowing stomach acid to back up.
• Sleep with your head elevated 6-8 inches. This prevents acid from backing up into your esophagus.
• Avoid foods and drinks that can trigger symptoms like caffeine, chocolate, soda, spicy foods, etc.
• Wear loose fitting clothing around your stomach.
• Chew gum - especially after meals. Chewing gum promotes saliva production which can help neutralize stomach acid.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking. Both of these relax the esophageal sphincter muscle, allowing stomach acid to back up.
What dietary changes can help GERD symptoms?
Making some dietary changes can help relieve GERD symptoms. Here are some tips:
• Eat smaller meals and have snacks during the day instead of large meals. Big meals can overfill the stomach and cause reflux.
• Do not eat 2 hours before going to bed. Stomach reflux is often worse when lying down.
• Avoid foods and drinks that can trigger or worsen GERD symptoms like chocolate, fatty or spicy foods, sodas, coffee, and foods high in acid like tomatoes and citrus fruits.
• Try to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can contribute to GERD.
• Do not eat 2 hours before going to bed. Stomach reflux is often worse when lying down.
• Avoid foods and drinks that can trigger or worsen GERD symptoms like chocolate, fatty or spicy foods, sodas, coffee, and foods high in acid like tomatoes and citrus fruits.
• Try to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can contribute to GERD.
What medications are used to treat acid reflux?
Some commonly prescribed medications for treating acid reflux (GERD) include:
• Omeprazole (Prilosec)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
These belong to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which reduce stomach acid production and help relieve GERD symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, and difficulty swallowing.
How long does heartburn from GERD last if untreated?
Mild acid reflux and heartburn will usually get better within 1 to 2 weeks by following home care advice. However, if your symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, it's recommended to call or see your healthcare provider, as you may need additional tests or treatment.
Is acid reflux common during pregnancy? What helps?
Yes, acid reflux is very common during pregnancy. Up to 80% of women experience some symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn while pregnant. This is often due to increased levels of hormones like progesterone as well as the growing baby putting pressure on the stomach.
Can acid reflux be cured permanently?
There is no definitive cure for acid reflux or GERD, but there are several effective ways to manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups in most cases. Some tips include:
• Avoiding trigger foods - Common triggers include spicy, fatty, or acidic foods. Identifying and limiting foods that worsen reflux can provide relief.
• Losing weight if overweight - Extra weight puts pressure on the stomach and can worsen reflux.
• Not eating large meals - Eating smaller, more frequent meals reduces pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.
• Elevating the head while sleeping - Letting gravity help keep acid down in the stomach can prevent nighttime symptoms.
• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco - These can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and provoke reflux.
• Losing weight if overweight - Extra weight puts pressure on the stomach and can worsen reflux.
• Not eating large meals - Eating smaller, more frequent meals reduces pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter.
• Elevating the head while sleeping - Letting gravity help keep acid down in the stomach can prevent nighttime symptoms.
• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco - These can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and provoke reflux.
There are also over-the-counter and prescription medications available to relieve heartburn, acid reflux and GERD by reducing or blocking stomach acid. Discuss persistent issues with your health provider to explore medication and other treatment options for keeping acid reflux under control.
