Acid Reflux (Acidity, Heartburn) and GERD| Symptoms| Causes| Treatments| Know Me

Heartburn hurts no matter how minor it is which can cause significant damage to the digestive tract. First of all, we should know the difference between acid reflux and GERD. Because while they are similar, they are most definitely different.

What is Acid Reflux (Acidity, Heartburn) and GERD?

Acid reflux is something that you, me, and every other person, have ever known has suffered from at least at one point in our lifetime. This is just heartburn. Now we should not call it heartburn because it has nothing to do with the heart.

 It’s purely in the digestive tract and the esophagus (the flexible tube that travels from your mouth to your stomach to carry food and liquids) is behind the heart.

So when we feel that burning sensation, we interpret it as chest pain and heartburn or acidity. Acidity or heartburn is nothing but the symptoms of acid reflux.

GERD stands for gastro esophageal reflux disease which is much more severe. You can think of it as a hyped-up chronic version of acid reflux. Individuals who suffer from GERD typically will get this multiple times a day.

Just imagine heartburn multiple times in a day and people can even get ulcers in their esophagus. It can come with quite a damaging result, but it doesn’t just happen in adults. This can happen in infants and lot of a parents out there will recognize GERD because of this.

Because Infants don’t have the controls over their esophagus that an adult would. The esophagus has the sphincter muscle which can shut down or open.

Just think if that sphincter does not close properly all the hydrochloric acid comes up. The esophagus is not designed to handle the stomach acid like the stomach did that’s why we can face problems.

What are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux (Acidity, Heartburn) and GERD?

The most important symptom of GERD is heartburn or acid reflux. There are some common symptoms like:

• Burning sensation in the upper part of the stomach mainly after eating a lot and might get worse at night.
• Fluid comes up from people’s stomachs into the chest or even in the throat.
• Coming back of swallowed food up again to the mouth or sour throat.
• Stomach Pain or Chest pain
• Abdominal bloating/Gas
• Acidity
• Nausea
• Trouble in swallowing
• Excessive night cough/dry cough
• Sudden increase of saliva and bad breath

What are the Causes of Acid Reflux (Acidity, Heartburn) and GERD?

Acid reflux happens due to a variety of reasons may be having too big of a meal or you have something super spicy. It depends on the Individual, the time and day, and the position they are sitting or lying, there are a lot of factors that go into why they are suffering from Acid reflux.

GERD is caused due to frequent acid reflux. When we eat food and swallow, a circular muscle around the bottom of our esophagus called the lower sphincter relaxes and it allows the food or liquid to enter into your stomach where the actual acid gets stored. After that, the sphincter gets closed again.

In some cases, the sphincter works abnormally like not closed properly or gets weakens, at that time stomach acid can flow back up into our esophagus which can irritate the lining of the esophagus or cause it to become inflamed.

If this occurs continuously it may result in a problem in swallowing, an esophageal ulcer, or in the worst case, it may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

Many factors that can cause Acid Reflux and GERD:

Dietary Factors

• A small gap between dinners to bed
• High-fat diet
• Obesity
• Smoking

Lifestyle-related factors

• Stress
• Major life events and alcoholic events
• Eating certain food that may trigger reflux
• Taking certain medications
• Family history

Treatment of Acid Reflux (Acidity, Heartburn) and GERD?

Lifestyle Changes

Talking about the treatment options, medication seems like the easier way to reduce acid reflux. But to manage and reduce the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD you have to make some lifestyle changes like:

• Maintain a moderate weight if you are overweight
• Quit smoking if you smoke and reduce the consumption of alcohol
• Avoid big heavy meals in the evening or at dinner
• Wait a few hours after eating to lie down on the bed or floor, and
• Elevate your head during sleep.

Medication

Even after these lifestyle changes your problem still occurs, you have to take consult the doctor. Your doctor might suggest taking over-the-counter medications which may cause some side effects, so consult the doctor before taking them.

Antacids have been used for centuries in the treatment of patients with dyspepsia and acid reflux diseases. It is typically used for occasional and mild symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. Antacids are weak bases that react with gastric hydrochloric acid to form salt and water.

Their main function is to reduce gastric acidity. A single dose of antacid taken one and after meals can effectively neutralize gastric acid for up to 2 hours.

Always take an antacid that contains magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide together, this will reduce gastric upset side effects like constipation and diarrhea.

H2 Blockers like cemented in ranitidine, phamotydine, and nisatidine suppresses acid secretion. If you are experiencing heartburn 3 times per week then you can take antacids or H2 blockers.

Antacids give fast relief compared to an H2 blocker. But the effect of antacids is short usually for 1 to 2 hours while H2 blockers are effective for up to 6 to 10 hours.

If you need faster relief then you can take antacids but if you are traveling somewhere and you want to reduce acid secretion for a longer time, then you should consider taking H2 blockers.

H2 Blockers should be taken 30 minutes before a meal to be effective. If you take it after a meal then you will not get the required benefit from this medication.

PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors) like omeprazole, pantoprazole, issymaprazol, and rabeprazol also lower the amount of acid that your stomach makes. Because they tend to work better than H2 blockers they are more helpful when it comes to healing the esophageal lining that becomes damaged when someone is dealing with GERD for a while.

If you take PPIs with food then the effects will be 50% effective, so the best time to take PPIs is approximately 1 hour before meal.

Normally recommended dose is once daily, it relieves GERD related symptoms in 85 to 90% of the patients. PPIs are extremely safe drugs with no side effects.

Pro-kinetic Agents helps to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and acid reflux for some people whose lower esophageal sphincter either relaxes or opens spontaneously allowing stomach contents including acids to re-enter into the esophagus.

Foam Barriers are tablets that are composed of antacid and a foaming agent. As soon as the tablet reaches to the stomach it disintegrates and turns into a foam that floats on top of the liquid contents of the stomach.

It is a kind of physical barrier which prevents the reflux of liquid. The tablets are best taken after meals when the stomach is distended and when lying down both time when reflux is more likely to occur.

Surgery

GERD is a chronic condition without cure. Usually it stays lifelong with people. In most cases lifestyle changes and medication are enough to prevent and relieve symptoms of GERD.

But sometimes surgery is needed. For example you doctor might recommend surgery if lifestyle changes and medications alone have not stop your symptoms. They might also suggest surgery if you develop complications of GERD.

There are multiple types of surgery available to treat GERD including fund application. During which the top of your stomach is sown around your esophagus and bariatric surgery is usually recommended when your doctor has concluded that your GERD may be exacerbated by too much weight.

Treating occasional heartburn or acid reflux with some medication or some lifestyle changes like waiting few hours to lie down after eating can usually provide relief. But If you are experiencing heart burn twice a week small lifestyle changes don’t seem to be fixing anything then you might be dealing with GERD, so it is better to consult your doctor who will help you to come up with a treatment plan that works best for you.      

FAQ about Acid Reflux and GERD

 

Is acid reflux and GERD the same thing?

Acid reflux and GERD are closely related, acid reflux is purely in the digestive tract and the esophagus (the flexible tube that travels from your mouth to your stomach to carry food and liquids) is behind the heart. While GERD is a chronic condition without a cure. GERD is caused due to frequent acid reflux.

 Is GERD serious?

GERD is not dangerous to life but in a long term, it can lead to various problems. If this occurs continuously it may result in a problem in swallowing, an esophageal ulcer, or in the worst case, it may increase the risk of esophageal cancer and may lead to surgery.

Does drinking water help GERD?

Water helps in the digestion of food and moves unnecessary food into your small intestine. Drinking water may help for short-term relief but if there is no change in the condition you have to consult the doctor or need to take medications.

Is milk good for acid reflux and GERD?

If you are not lactose intolerant, then milk may help you to reduce acid reflux symptoms. But milk should be low fat or skimmed milk, as fat can cause acid reflux. Low-fat milk has been in use as a homemade remedy for acid reflux and heartburn for ages. The practice of drinking milk may temporarily decrease stomach acid. But it does not treat the underlying cause of the acid reflux.

What foods make GERD worse?

Foods like fatty foods, spicy food, mint, onions, tomatoes, tea, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, etc. trigger GERD. If you are facing the problems like acid reflux or GERD you should try to avoid or minimize the consumption of this food until you recover from it.

Are bananas good for acid reflux?

Banana can cure your acid reflux quickly and effectively. Banana improves digestion due to its rich potassium contents resulting in fewer risks of acid reaching up to the esophagus. Also its soluble and insoluble fiber increases metabolism. In addition, Vitamin B in bananas enhances the strength of the esophagus and other tissues. Bananas also protect the stomach lining by producing more mucus that neutralizes the stomach acids. If you going through a major problem first thing you need to do is consult with your doctor.

What fruit is good for acid reflux?

A food that contains a lot of water can dilute and weaken stomach acid like watermelons, muskmelon, celery, cucumber, lettuce, etc. these can be the best fruits for acid reflux problems.

Is Ginger good for acid reflux?

Ginger is one of the best digestive aids because of its medicinal properties. It has natural anti-inflammatory properties and it is alkaline in nature. Therefore ginger is a natural treatment for heartburn and other gastrointestinal problems. You can make a juice by crushing the ginger root or you can add a ginger slice to your tea.

How can I treat acid reflux at home?  

Use baking soda, Chewing Sugar-free Gum, Consume non-acid fruits, take ginger tea, use apple cider vinegar, drink aloe Vera juice, don’t lie down after a meal, drink a glass of cold milk, drink buttermilk, have a bite of jaggery, have 1 to 2 glass coconut water, chew tulsi or basil leaves, chew fennel seed after a meal.