Acid Reflux is a fairly common occurrence for most people. It is caused by the lining in your stomach opening at the wrong time. This leads the acid in your stomach to escape and reach your throat. This may result in symptoms like heartburn, a burning chest ache.

However, if this problem persists and occurs more frequently, you may have GERD. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic acid reflux,  occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). Your oesophagal lining may become irritated by this backwash (acid reflux).

About 20% of people have GERD, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). It occasionally results in serious problems if left untreated.

In this article, let’s dive deeper into our understanding of chronic acid reflux, how it affects us, and how we can effectively manage acid reflux.

Acid Reflux vs. Heartburn

The terms acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD are frequently used interchangeably, but they indicate different conditions. Stomach contents coming back up into the oesophagus is known as acid reflux. Heartburn is a common after-meal or while-lying-down burning sensation in the middle of the chest that is brought on by acid reflux.

If you suffer heartburn or acid reflux more than twice a week for several weeks, regularly take antacids and heartburn medications, and your symptoms continue, you may have GERD. Your healthcare provider should treat your GERD not only to alleviate your symptoms but also because GERD can progress to more serious issues.

GERD symptoms

Acid reflux is the most common symptom of GERD. If you suffer from acid reflux, you may experience a sour or bitter taste in the back of your tongue. It may also cause your stomach to regurgitate food or liquid into your mouth.

Some other symptoms of GERD include:

• nausea

• chest pain

• pain when swallowing

• difficulty swallowing

• chronic cough

• a hoarse voice

• bad breath

What Causes GERD?

While there is no single cause of GERD, there is a system in your body that, when not working properly, can raise your chances of getting it.

When your lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) fails to tighten or close appropriately, acid reflux occurs. This enables stomach acid and other digestive secretions to rise into your oesophagus.

A hiatal hernia, a stomach deformity, is a common cause of acid reflux disease. This occurs when the diaphragm, a muscle that joins the stomach to the chest, is moved over by the upper part of the stomach and the LES. The diaphragm typically helps to retain stomach acid. Acid can go up into your oesophagus and cause acid reflux symptoms if you have a hiatal hernia, though.

Other common risk factors for acid reflux disease include:

• Huge meals or immediately following a meal, lying down

• Being overweight or obese

• Having a large meal, lying on one's back, or hunching over at the waist

• Snacking close to bedtime

• Eating specific foods, such as spicy or fatty foods, citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, or onions

• Drinking specific liquids, like alcohol, fizzy beverages, coffee, or tea

• Smoking

• Being pregnant

• Using blood pressure medicines, ibuprofen, aspirin, or certain muscle relaxants

GERD Diagnosis

The straightforward strategy used by healthcare providers for distinguishing between GERD and simple acid reflux is talking to the patient about their symptoms and medical history. However, if this strategy does not work, there are several diagnostic tests that can be implemented:

• Upper gastrointestinal GI endoscopy and biopsy: An endoscope (a long tube with a light attached) is passed through your mouth and throat by your provider to examine the lining of your upper GI tract (oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum). A small piece of tissue (biopsy) is also removed by the provider to be examined for GERD or other disorders.

• Upper GI series: X-rays of your upper GI tract reveal any GERD-related issues. You consume barium, a liquid that travels through your digestive tract while the X-ray technician takes photographs.

• Esophageal pH and impedance monitoring and Bravo wireless oesophagal pH monitoring: Both of these tests assess the pH levels in your oesophagus. Your provider inserts a tiny tube into your stomach through your nose or mouth. As you eat and sleep normally, the monitor measures and records your pH.

• Esophageal manometry: A manometry examination evaluates the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter and oesophagal muscles to transfer food normally from the oesophagus to the stomach. A short flexible tube with sensors is inserted into your nose by your provider. As you swallow, these sensors assess the strength of your sphincter, muscles, and spasms.

Your healthcare provider may decide to use any of the above diagnostic tests to confirm whether you have GERD with certainty. 

Other Conditions and GERD

The symptoms of GERD can sometimes be exacerbated by other conditions you may be living with.

Anxiety and GERD- According to research from 2015, anxiety and heartburn are positively correlated. One might get more severe as the other does.

Asthma and GERD: While additional research is needed to determine the exact association between asthma and GERD, it is probable that GERD worsens asthma symptoms. Furthermore, asthma and some asthma treatments may raise your chances of developing GERD.

IBS and GERD: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder that affects the large intestine. GERD-related symptoms are more common in patients with IBS than in the general population, according to a 2018 analysis.

Management and Treatment for GERD

Many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs are available to treat GERD. The majority of OTC drugs are also offered in prescription form. Your doctor will provide you with a prescription for these harsher meds if you aren't feeling better after using over-the-counter remedies. Because all of these medications have adverse effects, it is best to consult with your doctor about your treatment options. The following are the most often-used OTC medications:

Antacids: Antacids are commonly used to treat minor acid reflux and GERD symptoms. However, if you use antacids almost constantly, you may require a stronger prescription.

H2 receptor blockers: H2 blockers aim to reduce the quantity of acid produced by your stomach. Many H2 blockers are available over-the-counter, and greater doses can also be prescribed.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): PPIs also reduce the quantity of acid produced by your stomach. They are more beneficial than H2 blockers in terms of repairing the oesophagal lining, which can get damaged when someone has GERD for a long period of time.

Some people may want to begin treating their heartburn with home treatments. While some natural treatments may assist with rare instances of acid reflux, if you've been diagnosed with GERD, you're almost certainly dealing with a chronic condition.

Chronic health problems can sometimes be alleviated via lifestyle modifications, but they almost always necessitate medical intervention. When dealing with chronic conditions, it's best to resist the urge to self-diagnose and self-medicate. Consult your doctor before beginning any new therapy.

Nevertheless, if you decide that you want to treat your problem without seeking medical attention, here are a few tried-and-true methods. 

Home Remedies to Alleviate GERD

Before resorting to medicines to treat gastroesophageal reflux, a few lifestyle adjustments should be tried.

1. Eat sparingly and slowly: More reflux into the oesophagus may occur when the stomach is particularly full. If it fits into your schedule, you might want to try consuming smaller portions more often rather than three large meals per day.

2. Avoid certain foods: Mint, fatty foods, spicy foods, tomatoes, onions, garlic, coffee, tea, chocolate, and alcohol are all more prone to cause reflux than others. If you eat any of these items on a regular basis, you should try omitting them to see if it helps your reflux, and then gradually reintroduce them.

3. Avoid drinking carbonated drinks since they make you burp, which lets acid into your oesophagus. Drink flat water in place of sparkling water.

4. Stay up after eating: Gravity alone assists in maintaining acid in the stomach when you're standing or even seated. Three hours before going to bed, finish your supper. No afternoon naps, late dinners, or late-night snacks are permitted.

5. Don't move too fast: Avoid strenuous exertion for a few hours after eating. An after-dinner stroll is acceptable but a more vigorous activity, particularly one that requires bending over, can cause acid to enter your oesophagus.

6. Lose weight if it's advised: Weight gain disperses the muscular framework which bolsters the lower oesophagal sphincter, reducing the pressure that keeps the sphincter closed. This causes acid reflux and heartburn

7. If you smoke, quit: Nicotine may relax the lower oesophagal sphincter.

8. Check your medications: Some drugs might relax the sphincter while others can cause esophageal irritation. 

If these measures are ineffective, or if you are experiencing significant pain or difficulty swallowing, consult your doctor to rule out other possible causes. Even if you make lifestyle modifications, you may require medication to treat your reflux.

Parting Thoughts

It is typical to have occasional heartburn or acid reflux. It happens to everybody. 

Taking over-the-counter antacids and making modest lifestyle modifications can usually provide relief. However, if you experience heartburn more than twice a week and simple lifestyle adjustments don't seem to be helping, you may have GERD.

If you have GERD, your doctor will work with you to design a course of action that works for you. Depending on the severity of the illness, OTC medications, prescription medications, and even surgery are all alternatives.

Don't let this condition keep you from living your best life. Consult your doctor if you suspect you have GERD symptoms.