What is Acid Reflux?
The full medical term for “Acid Reflux” is Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and is defined as the product of abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus thus, creating a mucosal damage, likewise known as the chronic symptom. In more simple terms, it’s a condition in which acid flows back up from the stomach into the upper intestines and the esophagus.
Another name referring to acid reflux is Heartburn or acid indigestion. Heartburn is the major symptom of acid reflux in the esophagus and is called like that because is causes a burning sensation at the back of the sternum.
This disease strikes mainly adults, but infants and children alike can also be affected. It could be triggered by eating certain foods, sometimes by pregnancy and even by taking a sleep right after eating a big/heavy meal. A big number of persons complain about suffering from acid reflux at one point or another in their life.
However, a point to note is that a feeling of constant heartburn does necessarily mean that one has acquired the GRED condition. When heartburn happens rather often, e.g. once a week, then the risk of having developed acid reflux is much higher.
Some of the symptoms of GERD are:
- Sinus Infection
- Cough
- Transformation of the Voice
- Constant and Intense Ear Ache
In addition, the complications incurred by Acid Reflux could lead to esophageal ulcers or even worse to esophageal cancer.
One of the most usual causes of Acid Reflux is the big increase in the production of gastric acid but also pregnancy, obesity and tight-fitting clothes, can increase the problem. It is also thought that yeast infections are one of the causes of acid reflux-like symptoms.
However ironic it might seem, another cause of the acid reflux is the insufficient production of stomach acid in the body. The reason is that the valve, the hollow organ with a flap that ensures the one-way course of fluid through the organ, triggers acidity in the intestines once emptied. If the valve fails to open, the contents of the stomach will be blended into the esophagus, and then the fist symptoms of GERD can be observed.
Thankfully, nowadays there are several treatments for Acid Reflux. One of these is the balance and healthy eating habits. However, if proper diet fails to work, one can try medication therapy or surgery as suggested by the physicians. Here’s a list of possible Acid Reflux treatments:
- Proper Diet: the most natural way to remedy Acid Reflux is through change in your eating habits. Most people affected by Acid Reflux have succeeded following this method. Avoid the food ingredients that can increase heart burn like caffeine, soft drinks, and smoking. You should also avoid eating two hours before sleeping and lying down after taking meal. These are the main suggested changes in your lifestyle.
- Another easy way suggested to cure Acid Reflux is to elevate the head while lying down on the bed. The combination of not eating food two hours before sleeping, taking medicine and the rise of the head, provides a good chance for a patient to gain a 95% relief. The rise of the head off the bed is suggested for only 6 to 8 inches (approximately 20 cm). T hampers the backflow of gastric fluids.
- Medication Treatment: medication reduces the secretion of the gastric acid. For instance famotidine and omeprazole reduce the secretion of gastric acid and the Antacids counteract the acid secreted.
- Surgical treatment: Nissen fundoplication is the standard surgical treatment for Acid Reflux. The medication process only covers a short period of time. The surgery is carried out to support the sphincter, a spherical bond of muscles that opens and closes to let the food or waste to pass, as well as stop Acid Reflux.