Are you experiencing an unpleasant burning feeling in your chest after eating? Do you also find it difficult to swallow your food? Is belching also happening frequently? All these signs and symptoms might mean you are having acid reflux.
What is Acid Reflux?
Also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acid reflux is a common health problem that happens when the acid in your stomach flows back to your esophagus. Your esophagus has a circular band of muscle at the end called a lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When it's working properly, it relaxes and opens when you swallow, and then it tightens and closes again afterwards. Acid reflux happens when your LES doesn't tighten or close properly, allowing digestive juices and other contents from your stomach to return to your esophagus.
How to Treat Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux management options usually start with diet modifications. This includes eating smaller meals, avoiding irritants like citrus, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, smoking and avoid eating before bed. Some people tend to drink milk thinking that it will coat the esophagus and make the heartburn better. Although that method does help on a short-term basis, the consumption of milk will lead to the production of more stomach acid during the digestion process, which may lead to more problems later. If these options don't provide relief, acid reflux medication may be used to treat the condition.
Reflux medicine come in three types: H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antacids. These medications work differently and are used to either prevent or quick relief.
For Quick Relief - Antacids
Affordable and available over the counter, antacids are a good acid reflux medication option for when you need something for very quick relieve. While they don't do anything to prevent GERD, they can be used on-demand for symptom relief. Common antacids contain magnesium and/or calcium carbonate and provide relief within 5 minutes. However, the relief is only temporarily - for 30-60 minutes top. Antacids side effects are mild and include nausea, constipation and diarrhea. If your symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks with an antacid, you may need a stronger medication.
For Stronger Relief - H2 Blockers
These are short-term preventative medications that decrease stomach acid. They block histamine, which is one of the body's inflammatory agents, from stimulating the stomach to produce acid. They are recommended for individuals who have mild reflux symptoms that occur less than two times a week. To prevent reflux symptoms, H2 blockers work better when taken 10 to 60 minutes before eating food or drinking beverages that cause reflux. If symptoms persist, you can take one more dose within 24 hours. Keep in mind that H2 blockers are only good for short-term use. Unless directed by your doctor, don't take the maximum daily dosage continuously for more than 2 weeks. H2 blockers side effects include diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, headache, drowsiness, muscle aches and abdominal pain.
When H2 Blockers Don't Help - Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) include pantoprazole, omeprazole, esomeprazole and lansoprazole. These medications are available with a prescription, but you can also find them over the counter, with the exception of pantoprazole. PPIs should be taken on an empty stomach about 30 minutes before you eat breakfast, once a day for 14 days. While some people get complete symptom relief within 24 hours, it can take 1 to 4 days for full effect. Don't take the medication for more than 14 days unless directed by your doctor. When it comes to side effects, they are similar to the H2 blockers - headache, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and flatulence.
If any of these options bring you relief, you may want to visit your doctor. He/she will evaluate if you have chronic acid reflux to make sure your medical treatment is adequate, safe and correct and determine if you have damage to the esophagus. If medications don't provide relief, further treatment options might include procedures intended to repair or replace the valve that connects the stomach and esophagus, which is often the culprit for acid reflux.
Your doctor may perform a test to confirm your diagnosis. Test for acid reflux can measure the acid content of your esophagus, examine your esophagus for damage, measure muscle contractions in your esophagus, or look at your entire upper digestive tract.
Causes and Risk Factors
Obesity is one of the main causes of acid reflux as excess abdominal fat causes several structural and functional changes around the valve that closes off the esophagus from the stomach. This means weight loss is really an effective way to lose acid reflux. Other risk factors include pregnancy, smoking, eating citrus, spice or fried foods, eating large meals, eating before going to bed, laying flat after eating, taking certain medications such as aspirin and certain drugs for high blood pressure, asthma, allergies and depressions.
