Are You Suffering From Acid Reflux Disease?

Does the enjoyment of an all-you-can-eat buffet leave you looking for that bottle of antacid pills? Or does that late night bowl of cereal leave you tossing and turning with an upset stomach? If you often end up with painful heartburn or throat problems after you eat, you could be suffering from acid reflux disease.

Properly known as GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, your pain is a result of food or liquid travelling back up from your stomach into your esophagus. This condition can irritate the esophagus and cause a number of symptoms. Heartburn, belching, regurgitating your food, sore throat and difficulty swallowing are often experienced. Some people have an upset stomach or uncomfortably full feeling, a cough, or sensation of a lump in the throat. If the esophagus becomes inflamed or scarred, severe complications can result, so it’s best to see a doctor as soon as you begin to experience symptoms of acid reflux. Chest pain always needs immediate attention since it could indicate a heart problem.

Often your doctor can make a diagnosis based on your description of symptoms. It’s also helpful to keep a food journal for a couple of weeks, since certain foods can sometimes trigger an attack. Not everyone is affected by the same foods, so it’s in your best interest to know which ones bother you. Sometimes acid reflux can even be a result of a prescription drug you are taking.

If necessary, an examination may be needed to confirm your diagnosis of GERD. The test may be as simple as swallowing a liquid and then being x-rayed. Or the procedure may require you to be sedated while the examination is performed. Sometimes a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached is inserted through your mouth into your esophagus. This allows the doctor to see any inflammation that may be present.

Although over-the-counter and prescription drugs can alleviate symptoms, you may want to make some lifestyle changes first. These include weight loss if you are overweight, not lying down after eating, sleeping with your head elevated, drinking plenty of water when taking medication, not overeating, and avoiding trigger foods. For many people, these include fast food, greasy meals, chocolate, alcohol, and peppermint. Eating late at night, or wearing clothes that fit too tightly around the stomach can also cause acid reflux. If you smoke, you can lessen symptoms by quitting.

A diagnosis of acid reflux disease doesn’t have to mean living with pain every day for the rest of your life. Although most people are helped with lifestyle changes and medication, surgery is also a possible alternative. In a day of amazing medical advances, suffering doesn’t have to be an option any more.

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