Acid Reflux - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options

1. Acid Reflux Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options

2. Acid Reflux Acid reflux is a fairly common disease, and more than 10 million cases are reported each year in India. It is technically known as GERD or ‘gastroesophageal reflux disease’. Acid reflux results in the backing up of stomach acids and bile into the food pipe in a reverse upward direction. An abnormal functioning of the LES (lower oesophageal sphincter), which connects the food pipe with the stomach results in acid reflux disease. It causes a burning pain in the chest, and irritation in the lining of the oesophagus (food pipe).

3. As it is a common disease, diagnosing acidic refluxes do not require a medical professional at all times. One can discern the presence of refluxes, based on symptoms experienced by oneself. Also laboratory testing is generally not required to diagnose acid refluxes. Let us study the symptoms, causes and various options for treatment of acid reflux in detail.

4. Symptoms of Acid Reflux / GERD: • The patient may feel bloated a lot of the time, due to uneasiness in the stomach, especially after meals. • Excessive burping is a common sign of the presence of acid reflux. When the acids start moving upwards, this is an unnatural movement for the body. It reacts by burping. • Blood may appear in stool or in vomiting by the patient.

5. A chronically sore throat or dry cough could be a symptom of GERD. • The patient may experience continual hiccups and nausea due to the stomach lining being irritated by acids from the stomach. • A sudden loss of weight by the patient, without any reason is a symptom of chronic acid refluxes.

6. Causes of Acid Reflux / GERD: • Hiatal hernia: It is also known as stomach hernia, and results in the pushing up of the stomach towards the diaphragm. Hiatal hernia can be the reason for intestinal diseases and discomfort like acid reflux, and heartburn. When the stomach pushes through towards the chest cavity, the functioning of the LES gets affected negatively. • Obesity:Carrying extra pounds on your body could be another reason for acid reflux. Today’s lifestyle has incorporated more junk food and less exercise. It is a sedentary lifestyle which involves minimum activity. This has led to the steady weight gain and obesity among many people across the world. Being overweight brings with it many associated risks like heart problems, intestinal discomfort, acid refluxes and BP problems as well.

7. Food habits: A major reason for gastroesophageal reflux disease is adverse eating habits that affect the normal functioning of the body. Habits like eating large meals, or lying down immediately after eating, or having snacks close to the time of sleeping lead to acidic refluxes. Our body is naturally not tuned to this lifestyle. It needs smaller and sensible meals, and an adequate gap between eating and resting. • Specific foods: We need to analyse what kind of foods do not suit our body and avoid these completely to avoid acid reflux. Foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, garlic, mint, onion or spicy foods may have a negative impact if consumed by some individuals.

8. Treatment Options for Acid Reflux: • Lifestyle Change: A sure fire way of treating acid reflux is changing a sedentary lifestyle into a more active one. Regular exercise and a healthy diet with occasional junk food would definitely help in curing acid reflux naturally. Also, one should avoid eating very late at night, or right before sleeping. • OTC medicines: There are various over the counter medications available for acid reflux, as it is a fairly common ailment. Drugs like antacids neutralize the effect of the acids from the stomach. Other medicines like laxatives aid in regular bowel movements, to counter the strain on the stomach.

9. Lose weight: Aiming for a healthy weight will put you at lesser risk of acid reflux. Also you would put less pressure on your stomach for digesting food. Losing abdominal fat is sure to make you feel lighter and healthier. A steady weight loss is recommended. Crash dieting or avoiding exercise will increase the severity of heartburn and acid refluxes, and most probably cause irreparable damage to the system. • Eat healthy: Although there is no magic diet for GERD patients, there are certain foods that help in reducing the intensity and effects of acid reflux like fibrous foods and high protein foods. Also avoiding junk and fast food would greatly help your body heal itself in a natural manner. • Alternate medicine: Certain supplements aid in relieving the pain from acid reflux like chamomile, marshmallow, liquorice and slippery elm. Research is still ongoing to test the exact effect of these alternate medicines in treating acid reflux. However, there have been testimonials from patients claiming that these have helped them in relieving GERD issues.

10. If you are struggling with Acid Reflux or GERD, take an appointment with GERD Specialist - Dr. Chirag Thakkar at Adroit Centre for Digestive and Obesity Surgery.

11. Consult us for GERD Treatment For Appointment Call 079-29703438 Or visit:- www.drchiragthakkar.com