Everything you need to know about acid reflux can be found in this article. Heartburn and acid reflux are two common conditions that can be brought on by an excessive backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. This condition is also known as gastric reflux. A burning sensation in the chest, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, and difficulty swallowing are all symptoms that can be caused by acid reflux and heartburn. Other symptoms may include a sour or bitter taste in the mouth and difficulty swallowing. For therapy to work, a person may need to make changes to how they live, get medical treatment, or even have surgery.
- About Acid Reflux
- Acid Reflux Causes
- Acid Reflux Cough
- Acid Reflux Foods to Avoid
- Acid Reflux Home Remedies
- Acid Reflux Medicine
- Acid Reflux Symptoms
About Acid Reflux
Commonly known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Acid Reflux is a condition that is thought to be more serious than acid indigestion or regular heartburn.
The condition that is more commonly referred to as “heartburn” affects a significant number of people all over the world. A sensation of burning that begins in the abdomen and travels all the way up to the throat is one of the hallmarks of this syndrome.
Despite the fact that the terms are commonly interchanged, indigestion and heartburn are actually two distinct disorders that can occur simultaneously. Discover the key differences between the two, as well as the telltale signs of each, by reading the following.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the chest that happens when stomach acid rises up into the esophagus.
What is Indigestion?
Indigestion is a broad term for a number of stomach problems, such as bloating, pain, gas, and feeling sick.
How Are Foods Digested?
Esophagus connects mouth to stomach. During acid reflux, stomach acid irritates the esophageal mucosa.
Stomach acid damages the mucosa, causing heartburn, swallowing pain, and ulcers. In severe cases, Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer may develop.
Acid reflux is rare when food is adequately digested. Food and stomach acid create indigestion and acid reflux. Stomach acid decreases without eating. A diet high in nutrients that speed up digestion reduces acid reflux.
Acid Reflux Causes
The Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) can get weakened with time, which can lead to acid reflux. It is a ring of muscle that is located between the esophagus and the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter should usually loosen up when you swallow, letting food and liquids go into your stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter will then tighten to stop the stomach’s contents from going back up into the esophagus. If the lower esophageal sphincter is impaired, it is possible that it will not seal correctly, which will cause stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus.
⫸Trigger Foods to Avoid Acid Reflux
- Fried and fatty foods – Fried and fatty foods can increase the amount of acid in your stomach, making it more likely to flow up into your esophagus.
- Citrus fruits – Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are highly acidic, which can irritate the stomach and lead to acid reflux.
- Tomatoes – Tomatoes have a high acid content, which can irritate the stomach and cause acid reflux.
- Garlic and onions – Garlic and onions are both high in sulfur-containing compounds, which can cause acid reflux and heartburn.
- Chocolate – Chocolate contains caffeine and other stimulants, which can increase acid production in the stomach and lead to acid reflux.
- Mint – Mint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which can allow stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus and cause acid reflux.
- Spicy foods – Spicy foods can increase acid production in the stomach, leading to acid reflux.
- Alcohol – Alcohol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus and cause acid reflux.
- Caffeinated beverages – Caffeinated beverages can increase acid production in the stomach and lead to acid reflux.
- High-fat dairy products – High-fat dairy products such as butter, cream, and whole milk can slow digestion, causing more stomach acid to be produced and leading to acid reflux.
Recommended Reading:
Acid Reflux Foods to Avoid: Top 15 Trigger Foods
Certain foods cause acid reflux. Acidic foods create heartburn. Some people get heartburn from extra meals. Avoid these foods to avoid discomfort and antacids:
How would someone know if they have acid reflux?
The symptoms of acid reflux that are the most recognizable are persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation.
Common symptoms associated with acid reflux include:
- Dysphasia, which is the sensation of food being stuck in your throat
- Heartburn, usually after eating, that may worsen when lying down.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Regurgitation of sour liquid into the mouth from the stomach.
- Frequent episodes of hiccupping
- Burping or gas
- Dry cough
- Chronic sore throat
How common is Chronic Acid Reflux?
In the United States, around 20% of the population suffers from the disorder known as gastroesophageal reflux disease otherwise known as GERD. GERD is a common condition and can affect people of any age, but typically affects adults 40 and over, and increases if you:
- Are overweight
- Are pregnant
- Smoke cigarettes
- Eat large Meals
- Eat late at night before bed
- Consume certain beverages such as alcohol and caffeine
- Take certain medications such as aspirin
- Eat certain trigger foods such as fried or fatty food
- Experience a lot of stress
- Taking medications that cause acid reflux
Stress can cause acid reflux. Stress increases stomach acid. Have you found you have heartburn before job interviews or presentations? You may know diet influences acid reflux, but not stress. People commonly describe their stomach being knotted in knots during stressful moments, which is an accurate description of what’s happening within their bodies. The stomach’s acid-producing pumps are overworked. A 2009 Norwegian study found that work-related stress increases GERD risk.
Treatments for Acid Reflux
What treatments are available for acid reflux? There are 3 basic options for treating acid reflux:
- Prescription medications
- Dietary or lifestyle changes
- Surgical options for extreme or chronic cases
The easiest and most non-invasive acid reflux treatment however is choosing a natural approach by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. Additionally, changing how and when you eat can offer immediate relief of acid reflux symptoms.
Prescription medications can have harmful side effects and may not be as effective when taken with medications for other health conditions. In fact, a few classes of high blood pressure medications often cause heartburn as a common side effect.
