Acid Reflux: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Acid Reflux: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
Last updated Thu 19 January 2017 By Markus MacGill Reviewed by University of Illinois-Chicago, School of Medicine.
Acid reflux is a very common condition. It is characterized by a burning pain, known as heartburn, felt internally around the lower chest area. It is caused by stomach acid flowing back up into the food pipe.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is diagnosed when acid reflux occurs more than twice a week.
This page explains what causes acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease. We also cover symptoms, how the condition is diagnosed, treatment options available for the management of the condition, and how lifestyle measures can help.
Contents of this article:
What is acid reflux?
Causes
Symptoms
Tests and diagnosis
Treatment and prevention
Risks from long-term GERD
Fast facts on acid reflux
Here are some key points about acid reflux. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.
Acid reflux is also known as heartburn, acid indigestion, or pyrosis
It happens when some of the acidic stomach contents go back up into the esophagus
Acid reflux creates a burning pain in the lower chest area, often after eating
Lifestyle risk factors include obesity and smoking
Drug treatments are the most common therapy and are available on prescription and OTC
What is acid reflux?
Diagram of esophagus, stomach and digestive system
Diagram of the digestive system.
Acid reflux is when some of the acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus - into the gullet, which moves food down from the mouth. Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart.
The stomach contains a strong acid - hydrochloric acid - to help break down food and protect against pathogens such as bacteria.
The lining of the stomach is specially adapted to protect it from the powerful acid, but the esophagus is not protected.
A ring of muscle - the gastroesophageal sphincter - normally acts as a valve that lets food into the stomach but not back up into the esophagus. When this valve fails, and stomach contents are regurgitated into the esophagus, the symptoms of acid reflux are felt, such as heartburn.
Exact figures vary but acid reflux is considered very common, and diseases resulting from acid reflux are the most common gut complaint seen by United States hospital departments.
The American College of Gastroenterology says that over 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month, and at least 15 million as often as daily.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease has the highest rates in Western countries, affecting an estimated 20-30 percent of the population.
Although acid reflux is common and not dangerous, chronic heartburn can lead to serious complications.
Causes of acid reflux
We all may experience acid reflux occasionally, often associated with certain food and drink. Recurrent acid reflux that leads to disease has other causes and risk factors and is termed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is seen in people of all ages, sometimes for unknown reasons (idiopathic). Often, the cause is attributable to a lifestyle factor, but it can also be due to causes that cannot always be prevented.
One such cause of GERD is a hiatal (or hiatus) hernia. This is an anatomical abnormality where a hole in the diaphragm allows the upper part of the stomach to enter the chest cavity, sometimes leading to GERD. Pregnancy can also cause acid reflux due to extra pressure being placed on the internal organs.
Other risk factors are more easily controlled:
Obesity
Smoking (active or passive)
High intake of table salt
Low dietary fiber intake
Low levels of physical exercise
Medications, including drugs for asthma, calcium-channel blockers, antihistamines, painkillers, sedatives, and antidepressants
Alcohol or caffeine intake
Thank you for supporting Medical News Today
Symptoms of acid reflux
Acid reflux, whether it is a harmless, isolated episode of the sort we all experience at some point, or the persistent problem of gastroesophageal reflux disease, usually produces the same main symptom: Heartburn.
Heartburn is a discomfort - happening in the esophagus and felt behind the breastbone area - that takes the form of a burning sensation; it generally gets worse when the person lies down or bends over. It can last for several hours and also tends to worsen after eating food.
The pain of heartburn may move up toward the neck and throat; stomach fluid can reach the back of the throat in some cases, producing a bitter or sour taste.
If heartburn occurs regularly - two or more times a week - it is termed gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short. GERD can also have other symptoms, including:
Dry, persistent cough
Wheezing
Asthma and recurrent pneumonia
Nausea
Vomiting
Throat problems - soreness, hoarseness, or laryngitis (voice box inflammation)
Difficulty or pain when swallowing
Chest or upper abdominal pain
Dental erosion
Bad breath
Tests and diagnosis
Acid reflux and heartburn are common and relatively easy to diagnose, however, they can be confused with other chest complaints such as:
Heart attack
Pneumonia
Chest wall pain
Pulmonary embolus
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is often diagnosed simply by finding no improvement in heartburn symptoms in response to lifestyle changes and acid reflux medication.
Gastroenterologists may also arrange the following investigations:
Endoscopy - camera imaging
Biopsy - taking a tissue sample for laboratory analysis
Barium X-ray - imaging the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum after swallowing a chalky liquid that helps provide contrast on images
Esophageal manometry - pressure measurement of the esophagus
Impedance monitoring - measuring rate of fluid movement along the esophagus
pH monitoring - acidity testing.
Prevention of acid reflux through lifestyle control
Overweight man smoking
Losing weight and stopping smoking will remove two lifestyle risk factors associated with acid reflux.
Lifestyle can play a large part in the development of acid reflux-related problems, and changes to lifestyle or behavior can prevent or improve symptoms.
The American Gastroenterological Association offers the following list of things that might help resolve symptoms:
Avoid food, drinks, and medicines that you find to be associated with heartburn irritation
Eat smaller meals
Improve posture - for instance, siting up straighter
Wear loose clothing
Do not lie down for 2-3 hours after a meal
Lose weight if overweight or obese
Avoid increased pressure on your abdomen, such as from tight belts or doing sit-up exercises
Stop smoking
Reduce intake of chocolate, carbonated drinks, and acidic juices
Risks from long-term GERD
It is important to address persistent problems with gastroesophageal reflux disease as long-term untreated acid reflux can lead to serious complications, including an increased risk of cancer.
Long-term, continual exposure to stomach acid can damage the esophagus, leading to:
Esophagitis - the lining of the esophagus is inflamed, causing irritation, bleeding, and ulceration in some cases
Strictures - damage caused by stomach acid leads to scar development and difficulties swallowing, with food getting stuck as it travels down the esophagus
Barrett's esophagus - a serious complication where repeated exposure to stomach acid causes changes in the cells and tissues lining the esophagus with potential to develop into cancer cells
Both esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus are associated with a higher risk of cancer.
There was a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1999 that found a link between untreated acid reflux and cancer. Its conclusion reads as a stark warning against leaving acid reflux untreated for a long time:
"There is a strong and probably causal relation between gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal adenocarcinoma."
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Last updated Thu 19 January 2017 By Markus MacGill Reviewed by University of Illinois-Chicago, School of Medicine.
Acid reflux is a very common condition. It is characterized by a burning pain, known as heartburn, felt internally around the lower chest area. It is caused by stomach acid flowing back up into the food pipe.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is diagnosed when acid reflux occurs more than twice a week.
This page explains what causes acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease. We also cover symptoms, how the condition is diagnosed, treatment options available for the management of the condition, and how lifestyle measures can help.
Contents of this article:
What is acid reflux?
Causes
Symptoms
Tests and diagnosis
Treatment and prevention
Risks from long-term GERD
Fast facts on acid reflux
Here are some key points about acid reflux. More detail and supporting information is in the main article.
Acid reflux is also known as heartburn, acid indigestion, or pyrosis
It happens when some of the acidic stomach contents go back up into the esophagus
Acid reflux creates a burning pain in the lower chest area, often after eating
Lifestyle risk factors include obesity and smoking
Drug treatments are the most common therapy and are available on prescription and OTC
What is acid reflux?
Diagram of esophagus, stomach and digestive system
Diagram of the digestive system.
Acid reflux is when some of the acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus - into the gullet, which moves food down from the mouth. Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart.
The stomach contains a strong acid - hydrochloric acid - to help break down food and protect against pathogens such as bacteria.
The lining of the stomach is specially adapted to protect it from the powerful acid, but the esophagus is not protected.
A ring of muscle - the gastroesophageal sphincter - normally acts as a valve that lets food into the stomach but not back up into the esophagus. When this valve fails, and stomach contents are regurgitated into the esophagus, the symptoms of acid reflux are felt, such as heartburn.
Exact figures vary but acid reflux is considered very common, and diseases resulting from acid reflux are the most common gut complaint seen by United States hospital departments.
The American College of Gastroenterology says that over 60 million Americans experience heartburn at least once a month, and at least 15 million as often as daily.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease has the highest rates in Western countries, affecting an estimated 20-30 percent of the population.
Although acid reflux is common and not dangerous, chronic heartburn can lead to serious complications.
Causes of acid reflux
We all may experience acid reflux occasionally, often associated with certain food and drink. Recurrent acid reflux that leads to disease has other causes and risk factors and is termed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is seen in people of all ages, sometimes for unknown reasons (idiopathic). Often, the cause is attributable to a lifestyle factor, but it can also be due to causes that cannot always be prevented.
One such cause of GERD is a hiatal (or hiatus) hernia. This is an anatomical abnormality where a hole in the diaphragm allows the upper part of the stomach to enter the chest cavity, sometimes leading to GERD. Pregnancy can also cause acid reflux due to extra pressure being placed on the internal organs.
Other risk factors are more easily controlled:
Obesity
Smoking (active or passive)
High intake of table salt
Low dietary fiber intake
Low levels of physical exercise
Medications, including drugs for asthma, calcium-channel blockers, antihistamines, painkillers, sedatives, and antidepressants
Alcohol or caffeine intake
Thank you for supporting Medical News Today
Symptoms of acid reflux
Acid reflux, whether it is a harmless, isolated episode of the sort we all experience at some point, or the persistent problem of gastroesophageal reflux disease, usually produces the same main symptom: Heartburn.
Heartburn is a discomfort - happening in the esophagus and felt behind the breastbone area - that takes the form of a burning sensation; it generally gets worse when the person lies down or bends over. It can last for several hours and also tends to worsen after eating food.
The pain of heartburn may move up toward the neck and throat; stomach fluid can reach the back of the throat in some cases, producing a bitter or sour taste.
If heartburn occurs regularly - two or more times a week - it is termed gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short. GERD can also have other symptoms, including:
Dry, persistent cough
Wheezing
Asthma and recurrent pneumonia
Nausea
Vomiting
Throat problems - soreness, hoarseness, or laryngitis (voice box inflammation)
Difficulty or pain when swallowing
Chest or upper abdominal pain
Dental erosion
Bad breath
Tests and diagnosis
Acid reflux and heartburn are common and relatively easy to diagnose, however, they can be confused with other chest complaints such as:
Heart attack
Pneumonia
Chest wall pain
Pulmonary embolus
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is often diagnosed simply by finding no improvement in heartburn symptoms in response to lifestyle changes and acid reflux medication.
Gastroenterologists may also arrange the following investigations:
Endoscopy - camera imaging
Biopsy - taking a tissue sample for laboratory analysis
Barium X-ray - imaging the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum after swallowing a chalky liquid that helps provide contrast on images
Esophageal manometry - pressure measurement of the esophagus
Impedance monitoring - measuring rate of fluid movement along the esophagus
pH monitoring - acidity testing.
Prevention of acid reflux through lifestyle control
Overweight man smoking
Losing weight and stopping smoking will remove two lifestyle risk factors associated with acid reflux.
Lifestyle can play a large part in the development of acid reflux-related problems, and changes to lifestyle or behavior can prevent or improve symptoms.
The American Gastroenterological Association offers the following list of things that might help resolve symptoms:
Avoid food, drinks, and medicines that you find to be associated with heartburn irritation
Eat smaller meals
Improve posture - for instance, siting up straighter
Wear loose clothing
Do not lie down for 2-3 hours after a meal
Lose weight if overweight or obese
Avoid increased pressure on your abdomen, such as from tight belts or doing sit-up exercises
Stop smoking
Reduce intake of chocolate, carbonated drinks, and acidic juices
Risks from long-term GERD
It is important to address persistent problems with gastroesophageal reflux disease as long-term untreated acid reflux can lead to serious complications, including an increased risk of cancer.
Long-term, continual exposure to stomach acid can damage the esophagus, leading to:
Esophagitis - the lining of the esophagus is inflamed, causing irritation, bleeding, and ulceration in some cases
Strictures - damage caused by stomach acid leads to scar development and difficulties swallowing, with food getting stuck as it travels down the esophagus
Barrett's esophagus - a serious complication where repeated exposure to stomach acid causes changes in the cells and tissues lining the esophagus with potential to develop into cancer cells
Both esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus are associated with a higher risk of cancer.
There was a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1999 that found a link between untreated acid reflux and cancer. Its conclusion reads as a stark warning against leaving acid reflux untreated for a long time:
"There is a strong and probably causal relation between gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal adenocarcinoma."
YouTube FaceBook FB Amazon_Books
Zyropathy-Know About Us Zyro Products
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