What Every Person With Heartburn Should Know About Acid Reflux

One of the biggest symptoms of acid reflux is a burning near the bottom of the chest, typically within short proximity to a meal. The sensation is known as heartburn. Other symptoms include painful spasms, during which individuals may experience problems swallowing. Individuals may even experience food that comes back up the esophagus and into the mouth.

For many people, these symptoms worsen at night. For some patients, the chest pain is so intense that it causes them to wake up in the middle of the night. In fact, sometimes the pain is so intense that people wonder if they are in the middle of a heart attack.

Some symptoms are more subtle than others. You may also experience bloating, dark stools, hiccups, nausea, wheezing, coughing, and the feeling that you have a lump of food stuck in your throat. In some cases, the symptoms are specific to the types of foods you eat.

Heartburn occurs when acid in the stomach flows back up into the esophagus. At the top of your stomach sits a muscle that opens and closes to allow food to enter. Unfortunately, the sphincter does not always work correctly. It may allow acid to enter your esophagus as a result.

Some people are more likely to experience the side effects of acid reflux compared to others. For example, people who are pregnant or considered obese are more likely to experience heartburn than the general population. People with hernias and certain tissue disorders may also experience the symptoms.

While many people perceive heartburn as painful but just a nuisance, the truth is that it can lead to more serious health conditions over time. As a result, you should seek to address the symptoms as early as possible.

One of the reasons you should treat acid reflux disease is to avoid esophagitis caused by exposure to acid. Esophagitis is the inflammation of the lining in the esophagus, which can leads to ulcers, discomfort, and bleeding. The condition may come with an increased risk of cancer. A condition known as Barrett's esophagus may also lead to the development of cancer cells.

Stomach acid also causes the development of scars in the body known as strictures. This condition can trap food as it moves down the esophagus.

Lifestyle modifications can help you avoid acid reflux. For example, to limit acid reflux, you should avoid some food and drink items, including coffee, greasy foods, spicy foods, tomatoes, and alcohol. You should stop smoking and avoid eating in the hours before you lie down. Your doctor may also recommend you lose some weight to avoid the symptoms. You should also decrease the size of your meals.

For many people, an over-the-counter medication works fine to relieve the symptoms, but in some cases the condition develops into a more frequent occurrence. At that point, the condition may be called gastroesophageal reflux diease, or GERD, which may require more serious efforts to rectify.

Acid reflux is a common health concern, but that does not mean you have to accept living with it. Kentuckiana Gastroenterology & Paramount Surgery Center may offer the assistance you need. Call our office today to discuss your acid reflux with our team and establish the best treatment plan for your pains.