Do you suffer from acid reflux disease? If so, you are not alone. Acid reflux disease, also known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), is a common and potentially serious digestive disorder. Knowing the causes, symptoms, tests, and treatments of acid reflux disease is key to managing your health. This blog post will provide you with the facts on acid reflux disease, including the Causes, Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms, Tests, and Treatments. Get the facts and start taking control of your health today!
What is Acid Reflux Disease?
Acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a chronic digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows back up into the esophagus. This backflow can cause a burning sensation in the chest and throat, often referred to as “heartburn”. In some cases, it can also lead to coughing, hoarseness, and other symptoms. GERD can affect people of all ages, but it is most commonly found in adults over 50. It is estimated that 20-30% of the population in the US suffers from GERD. While it is not necessarily life-threatening, GERD can be very uncomfortable and can hurt the quality of life. It is important to understand the causes and treatments of this condition to find relief.
Symptoms
Acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a chronic condition that affects the digestive system. The most common symptom of acid reflux disease is heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest and/or throat. Other symptoms include:
- A sour taste in the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest pain
- Dry cough
- Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
- Bloody or black stools
It’s important to note that not everyone with acid reflux disease will have the same symptoms. Some people may only experience mild symptoms, while others may have more severe symptoms. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor so they can properly diagnose and treat your condition.
Causes
Acid reflux disease is caused by a malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a muscle at the entrance to your stomach that acts as a valve between the esophagus and stomach. Normally, the LES closes tightly after food passes through it. But when the LES relaxes too often or for too long, stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This is known as acid reflux.
Other factors that can contribute to acid reflux include overeating, eating certain foods (such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, and garlic), being overweight, having a hiatal hernia, smoking, and pregnancy. Some medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin can also contribute to acid reflux. Stress and anxiety can also play a role.
Tests
When it comes to diagnosing acid reflux disease, tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the severity of symptoms and other factors, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests:
- Upper Endoscopy: An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the mouth and down into the esophagus and stomach to examine the lining. This is typically done if the doctor suspects Barrett’s esophagus.
- Esophageal pH monitoring: This test measures the amount of acid in the esophagus by using a small tube that goes down the nose and into the esophagus. The tube measures how often stomach acid enters the esophagus and how long it stays there.
- Esophageal Manometry: This test measures how well the muscles in the esophagus work when moving food from the mouth to the stomach. A thin tube is inserted through the nose and into the esophagus to measure muscle movement and pressure.
- Gastric Emptying Study: This test measures how long it takes for food to move from the stomach to the intestines. A radioactive material is added to a meal, and an imaging machine is used to track its progress through the digestive system.
If any of these tests reveal an abnormality or if there are complications, additional tests may be ordered. These may include a blood test, stool test, breath test, or other imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI scan. It’s important to talk with your doctor about any tests you may need to get an accurate diagnosis of acid reflux disease.
Treatments
The treatment of acid reflux disease depends on its severity and the underlying cause. If your symptoms are mild, lifestyle changes may be all that is needed to relieve your discomfort.
These changes can include avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms, eating smaller meals, not eating close to bedtime, avoiding tight clothing, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking. Over-the-counter medications such as antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can also help manage your symptoms.
If lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications do not provide relief from acid reflux symptoms, your doctor may recommend prescription medications or surgery. Prescription medications include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2 blockers, and promotility agents. Surgery is only recommended in severe cases.
It’s important to remember that while treating acid reflux may bring relief from symptoms, it won’t cure the underlying cause. This means it’s important to continue taking any prescribed medications and follow-up with your doctor as recommended. Your doctor may suggest other treatments depending on the cause of your acid reflux.