What Is Acid Reflux (Or 'Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease')?

Acid reflux is certainly an unpleasant experience for anyone who has suffered from it, even to a mild degree. It's generally considered to consist of chronic symptoms and frequently mucosal damage caused by the abnormal reflux of stomach contents, in particular the strong stomach acid. When the gastric contents are expelled into the esophagus, this creates discomfort, pain and possibly lasting tissue damage.

There can be a structural physical cause for acid reflux, for example where the lower esophageal sphincter is weak and does not effectively contain the contents of the stomach, and some cases where a hiatal hernia is a factor.

We've all probably experienced the most common symptom and complaint of those suffering from acid reflux:heartburn. This feels like a burning, stinging or even ripping type of pain around the breastbone area. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing and changes in mucosal linings of the throat. In extreme cases sufferers may develop esophageal ulcers or scarring, so it pays not to ignore the warning signs.

Sometimes patients may be given a barium mixture to drink in order to diagnose the condition. On an x-ray this will help show the structure of the esophagus, sphincters and stomach in order to determine a good course of treatment. In many cases, endoscopy is used to examine the esophagus, stomach and relating portions of the body (a gastroscopy). The patient will usually be sedated in order to ease relaxation. I had one of these as part of my check-up when I had a colonoscopy, as it was quite economical as I was already under anaesthesia.

However, you can do a lot with adjusting your diet and the way you eat. No matter which course of treatment you and your doctor decide to pursue, there are many types of food that tend to be more likely to trigger symptoms than others. Avoiding or decreasing your intake of these foods may help to alleviate the situation.

For example, acidic, fatty and spicy foods tend to promote gastroesophageal reflux. Coffee, alcohol, vitamin C and calcium supplements are gastric acid stimulants. If you eat and drink these things, it is best to do so during the day or periods of increased activity. Just before bedtime would be the worst time, because you'll be lying down and inactive. I used to eat lying on my bed watching TV, and when I sat in a chair to eat this improved my digestion remarkably!

Chocolate and peppermint, onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are also known stimulants. Milk and dairy items should be avoided at bedtime as well.

Eating smaller meals, elevating the head of your bed (or using a higher pillow, I found this to be quite effective) and drinking more water have all been shown to have good effects for coping with and managing and related conditions.

Though there are a number of heartburn medications on the market, I strongly advise you to find simple solutions, such as avoiding certain foods, before you start medicating your problem; this worked for me. If you just pop a pill and treat the symptoms of a disease but do nothing for the underlying causes, it's only a matter of time before the condition has additional symptoms, and that's definitely something to avoid!