Who likes heartburn? Nobody. Unfortunately, many individuals are affected by a dreadful case of acid reflux.
The scientific name for acid reflux is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). According to the Cleveland Clinic, this disease occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly, and stomach contents can go back up the esophagus.
One of the most common causes of acid reflux is a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia happens when the stomach bulges up into the chest cavity through the esophageal opening. Hiatal hernias are caused by injuries, weight gain, pregnancy, and many other factors. Heartburn is another main cause of acid reflux. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid goes back up the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach, and thus induces acid reflux.
Symptoms of acid reflux to look out for are:
- Regurgitation
- Nausea (due to an unsettled stomach)
- Weight loss
- Burping
- Bloating
When you start to notice these symptoms, consult your doctor for treatment.
Acid reflux can be really unpleasant and uncomfortable. Luckily, there are things you can do to treat or even prevent acid reflux!
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Here are some ways to treat acid reflux:
Avoid some foods, and take your antacid tablets.
According to Health magazine, the top seven foods to avoid are chocolate, soda, fried foods, alcohol, high-fat dairy products, high-fat meats, and caffeine. These goods should be avoided because they upset the stomach. By avoiding these foods and by taking other precautions, such as taking antacid tablets, less severe cases of acid reflux can be cured. Home remedies, such as drinking lots of water, chewing gum, drinking cold milk, or eating licorice, can also be used to treat mild cases of acid reflux.
Take medication.
If self-treatment does not do the trick, seeking medical attention can help. Your doctor may suggest medicine to coat the stomach, decrease acid production, or help strengthen the LES.
If all else fails, undergo surgery.
Severe cases can be treated through surgery. There are two surgical procedures; one involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the LES to strengthen it and help prevent acid reflux, while the other places a ring known as a LINX device around the lower end of the esophagus. After surgery, the doctor will recommend eating liquid foods before gradually easing back to solid foods.
Severe acid reflux and heartburn are not things to mess with. If you begin to see reoccurring symptoms like regurgitation, weight loss, burping and bloating, you should consult your doctor right away. Without proper treatment, acid reflux can escalate to a much bigger problem, such as an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Be safe, and get it checked out!
