Acid reflux is when stomach acid comes up into your oesophagus (food pipe) causing irritation. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. It is a burning sensation that you feel in your chest after eating.
In this blog post, we discuss acid reflux symptoms, what causes acid reflux and the treatments available. Read on to find out all you need to know about this condition and what to do if you have it.
Acid reflux symptoms
Heartburn is the main symptom of acid reflux. It is extremely common, affecting around 25% of people.
Acid reflux symptoms include:
- Heartburn (a burning sensation in your chest)
- Regurgitation (food coming back up)
- A sour, acidic or bitter taste in your mouth
- Trouble swallowing
- Bloating
- Feeling sick
- Hiccups
- A cough
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
- Voice hoarseness
- Bad breath
These symptoms may get worse if you bend over or lay down soon after eating. Acid reflux can also cause trouble sleeping when it happens at night.
What causes acid reflux?
Acid reflux happens when the muscle that connects your oesophagus to your stomach relaxes or weakens. This muscle is called your lower oesophageal sphincter.
When it is contracted, the lower oesophageal sphincter keeps the stomach contents and acid inside the stomach. But if it relaxes or weakens, stomach acid and contents come back up into your food pipe.
Overeating can cause pressure on the muscle, forcing acid through into your food pipe. Or, for some people, this muscle may be weak or dysfunctional.
Causes of acid reflux include:
- Eating large meals
- Lying down after a meal
- Bending over after a meal
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating just before bed
- Rich, fatty, spicy, acidic or citrusy foods
- Alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee and tea
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Certain medications
- Stress and anxiety
- A hiatus hernia
A hiatus hernia is when the upper part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm into your chest. This is common in people over 50 and people who are overweight or obese. Around 15 – 25% of the population have a hiatus hernia.
Some people experience acid reflux with no apparent cause. It can happen even when none of the lifestyle factors we’ve listed apply.
Acid reflux diagnosis
When acid reflux happens occasionally, it is nothing to worry about. But, if you have chronic acid reflux, it is a good idea to see a doctor.
Chronic acid reflux is when you get acid reflux most days, for more than three weeks. This may mean you have a condition called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD).
To diagnose GORD, the doctor may give you one of following tests:
- Endoscopy (gastroscopy)
- 96-hour pH capsule (BRAVO)
- High-resolution oesophageal manometry
- 24-hour pH impedance test
Acid reflux treatment
One of the best ways to treat acid reflux is through lifestyle changes. The following changes are often effective ways to prevent acid reflux:
- Reducing meal size and eating small meals more often
- Avoiding rich, fatty, spicy, or citrusy foods
- Stopping smoking
- Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink
- Avoiding caffeinated drinks
- Eating 3-4 hours before bed
- Raising the head end of your bed
- Losing weight through improved diet and exercise
- Changing medication (with advice from your doctor)
- Wearing loser clothes that aren’t tight around the waist
The pharmacist can also prescribe antacids to help relieve your symptoms.
If lifestyle changes and antacids don’t work, your doctor will look at other options. Treatments include:
- Medicine: Medication called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) which include omeprazole and lansoprazole.
- Surgery: Either through a camera test/endoscopy (such as Stretta) or using keyhole surgery called laparoscopic fundoplication.
See an acid reflux specialist in London
If you get acid reflux symptoms regularly and it’s affecting your daily life, we can help. Digestive Health UK is based at 41 Welbeck Street in Central London.
We have leading acid reflux specialists and can help to diagnose and treat your symptoms. We will carry out the tests needed to reach a clear diagnosis and create a tailored treatment plan based on your individual needs.
Don’t wait to start feeling better. Book an appointment today.
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