Acid Reflux

About Acid Reflux and GERD

Acid reflux, indigestion, or heartburn are common digestive problems that are really uncomfortable, but they are not always a disease. However, if you experience acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD/GER).

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD/GERD) is when stomach acid leaks out of the stomach into the oesophagus (the food pipe/tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach).

It can cause a burning sensation in the chest called heartburn. Other irritated symptoms of acid reflux include chest pain, regurgitation (bringing up food or liquid from the stomach), difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, and a sour taste in the mouth.

This condition can affect people of all ages, occurs in one in five people and is most common in adults aged 40 and over. Proton pump inhibitors are a class of medication that treat Acid Reflux. They work by suppressing the production of stomach acid, which counteracts the symptoms of acid reflux.

Differentiate between normal acid reflux and GERD:

• Frequency: Normal acid reflux usually happens less than once a week. GERD happens more often than once a week, or it may happen every day.
• Duration: Normal acid reflux usually goes away on its own within a few minutes or hours. GERD symptoms may last for hours or even days.
• Severity: Normal acid reflux symptoms are usually mild. GERD symptoms can be more severe and may interfere with daily activities.

How does it work?

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a ring of muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach. It acts as a valve or a small door, preventing stomach acid and contents from flowing back up into the esophagus. It usually closes tightly after food passes through. But sometimes it doesn't close all the way, or it opens too often. When this happens, excessive stomach acid can flow back up into our esophagus. This can cause a burning feeling in our chest called heartburn.

Who is at risk for acid reflux?

Anyone can develop acid reflux, but some people are at higher risk than others. Risk factors for acid reflux include:

• Being overweight or obese: Excess weight puts pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that keeps stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus. This can weaken the LES and make it more likely for stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
  
  
• Hiatal hernia: A hiatal hernia is a condition in which the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and into the chest cavity. This can weaken the LES and make it more likely for stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.
  
  
• Pregnancy:The hormonal changes of pregnancy can relax the LES, making it more likely for stomach acid to back up into the esophagus.

• Smoking: Smoking weakens the LES and damages the lining of the esophagus, making it more susceptible to acid damage.

• Eating large meals or eating late at night can put pressure on the LES and increase the risk of acid reflux.
• Alcohol relaxes the LES and increases the production of stomach acid.
• Certain foods and beverages, such as fatty or fried foods, chocolate, coffee, and citrus fruits, can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
• Delayed gastric emptying: Delayed gastric emptying is a condition in which food moves too slowly through the stomach. This can cause pressure to build up in the stomach, which can weaken the LES and increase the risk of acid reflux.
• Certain medications: Some medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain antidepressants, can irritate the lining of the esophagus and make acid reflux symptoms worse.
• Older adults are more likely to develop acid reflux. This is because the LES can weaken with age.
• Family history: If you have a family history of acid reflux, you are more likely to develop it yourself.

If you are at risk for GERD, there are things you can do to reduce your risk, such as:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid foods that trigger your GERD symptoms
• Elevate the head of your bed when you sleep
• Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking that may be contributing to your GERD.

If you are experiencing acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week, or if your symptoms are severe or persistent, it is important to see a doctor to rule out GERD.

Causes:

A hiatal hernia is a common cause of acid reflux and occurs when the upper part of the stomach bulges through the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large muscle that separates the abdomen and the chest and helps keep the acid in the stomach.

Having a hiatal hernia means acid is able to freely move into the oesophagus and cause acid reflux symptoms. Other risk factors of acid reflux include those who are obese, pregrant, smokers or those who suffer from stress/anxiety. Some medication such as ibuprofen and aspirin can also cause acid reflux as a side effect.

Eating large meals or eating 3-4 hours before bed is associated with causing acid reflux as there is not enough time for the food to be processed in the stomach before lying down, therefore symptoms of acid reflux will be more likely when lying down.

Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux:

Heartburn - a burning sensation in the chest, usually worse when bending or lying down, or after meals.
An unpleasant, sour taste in the mouth, caused by stomach acid.
Difficulty swallowing