The Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Stomach Acid Reflux

Stomach acid reflux is a condition wherein, the gastric juices that are supposed to be in the stomach travel from the stomach into the esophagus. The food that we eat is digested with the help of stomach acids. For people who suffer from stomach acid reflux, the acids regurgitate back from the stomach into the esophagus and this is because of the impartial or lack of functioning of the esophageal sphincter.  The esophageal sphincter opens only when a person is swallowing and remains close otherwise and in this way, stomach contents do not reach the esophagus.

During stomach acid reflux, the esophageal sphincter does not close properly and as such, all the stomach acids flow back into the esophagus. There are several symptoms of acid reflux. Some of them are- experiencing a burning pain in the chest, back and throat known as heartburn, regurgitation, breathlessness,  difficulty in chewing and swallowing and dental erosion.

Stomach acid reflux can be caused by numerous factors.  Having a diet that is rich in fats, coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, eating large meals before bedtime, carbonated soft drinks, foods that have acidic content such as tomatoes and citric fruits, vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli and milk also increases the risk of stomach acid reflux.  Even conditions such as obesity and pregnancy can cause stomach acid reflux. Acid reflux can last for any period of time if untreated. People suffering from stomach acid reflux, have to consult a doctor and seek options for their treatment,

Acid suppressants such as blockers are used to reduce the amount of stomach acids produced in the stomach. These suppressants block histamine, which is a chemical that is produced during inflammation and in this way, provide relief from stomach acid reflux. Proton pump inhibitors are another class of medicines that make the cells present in the stomach wall to produce less acid. Antacids are the most common medications used for heartburn and neutralize the stomach acid. They are mostly over the counter medicines and should be taken by people who experience less frequent heartburn. Prokinetic agents can empty the contents of the stomach before it’s is overfilled and in this way prevent heartburn from occurring.

The effect of heartburn varies from person to person. Some people are greatly affected by heartburn and experience discomfort while performing day to day activities. Even simple activities such as swallowing of foods can prove to be very difficult for people suffering from stomach acid reflux. Factors like hiatel hernia also can cause heartburn. Mostly stomach acid reflux occurs after meals and as such activities such as lying or bending down should not be done after meals. Eating before exercising is also not recommended as it may lead to stomach acid reflux. Thus, all the people suffering from stomach acid reflux need to understand the causes and symptoms and make sure to visit a doctor and get the diagnosis done as early as possible, in order to be completely cured of stomach acid reflux.