Acid Reflux: What Are The Symptoms And Treatments?

Acid reflux's most common symptom is heartburn, which is why it often goes left untreated, because sufferers think they are simply suffering from some form of prolonged heartburn. In reality, acid reflux is a little more severe than that and, left untreated, can cause multiple problems. If you have heartburn that affects you over two or three days a week for over three months, you may have acid reflux and will need to consult your doctor. Acid reflux is also commonly referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease or simply GERD, for short.

Acid reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach (namely, acid, and pepsin) refluxes or regurgitates back into the esophagus, which, in turn, irritates the lining of the esophagus. If this irritation eventually begins to damage the esophagus to the point where you are affected on a daily basis, you may now have acid reflux and should consult your physician. The reason this occurs can be directly related to the way the lower esophageal sphincter operates. The lower esophageal sphincter or LES, for short, is the muscle located near the top of your stomach. This muscle is responsible for opening to allow food to enter the stomach and closing to keep the digested food, acid and pepsin in the stomach where they belong. Sufferers of acid reflux, however, have an LES that seems to open at inopportune times, allowing the acid that should remain in the stomach into the esophagus, causing painful irritation.

Unfortunately, acid reflux seems to be a chronic, lifelong condition, especially if there has been injury to the esophageal lining itself. Even with doctor-approved treatment to the esophageal lining, the acid reflux usually keeps occurring, causing further injury to the esophagus, once again. For most sufferers of acid reflux, the treatment is lifelong.

For some rare acid reflux patients, the injury to the esophagus can be so severe that it requires hospitalization and, even, surgery. Other potential problems include acid reaching the mouth area and causing damage to teeth enamel, acid reaching the lungs and causing coughing, or acid reaching the throat and causing soreness.

Some specialists feel that there are certain people who are more susceptible to contracting acid reflux. For example, pregnant women with elevated levels of hormones may have the pressure lowered in their LES, which could cause reflux. Also as the baby begins to grow inside the womb, it may cause additional pressure to the abdomen area, which can also increase the chances of reflux. People who suffer from weakened esophagus muscles, like those caused by diseases of the connective tissue, may also be more prone to acid reflux disorders.

Fortunately, sufferers of acid reflux can control and treat their symptoms. They must first consult their doctor to see if they have acid reflux and, if they do, they may be prescribed a daily medication that can help suppress their symptoms. Their physician will also, more than likely, suggest the patient make changes in their eating habits, eliminating spicy and acidic foods from their diet to help alleviate the problem.