Acid Reflux – How To Recognize Acid Reflux Disease
Acid reflux is an uncomfortable ailment that does not discriminate by age, gender or race. Anybody can get acid reflux disease at any time of their life. Acid reflux is a chronic disease that, once contracted, will usually last a lifetime. The good news is that the symptoms are treatable.
Acid reflux disease is a condition in which the liquid contents of the stomach (acid, pepsin and sometimes bile), regurgitates, or backs up from the stomach (reflux). It is also commonly known as GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The acid can damage the esophageal lining and cause inflammation. This inflammation is what causes the pain from acid reflux.
Acid reflux disease is particularly recognizable by its most common symptom, heartburn. Heartburn is literally the feeling of burning in the chest, neck and throat areas. Although heartburn doesn’t typically cause sensation in the exact area of the heart, it is commonly mistaken by patients for being a heart attack. Acid reflux sends thousands of people a year to emergency rooms. While their trips turned out to be unnecessary, it is always a good idea to seek immediate medical attention if you are at all unsure whether your pain is from heartburn or actual heart problems.
Regurgitation, nausea and vomiting can be symptoms of acid reflux disease, but these are not nearly as common as heartburn. Regurgitation happens when the refluxed acid makes it to the mouth. Nausea is the more common of these three symptoms and can lead to vomiting. Vomiting as a symptom of acid reflux disease is more common in babies and young children. Due to their small size the acids have nowhere to go but out.
Esophageal ulcers can be a complication of acid reflux disease. The acids that are regurgitated can break down the lining of the esophagus and cause a hole or a tear. Ulcers are quite painful and can also cause bleeding in the esophagus. Acid reflux ulcers will eventually heal themselves and leave behind scar tissue where the tear used to be.
Doctors diagnose acid reflux disease using prognosis based on the symptoms and whether the patient responds well to treatment. If the patient does not respond well to traditional treatment, or if he doctor is still unsure, he might try other methods to diagnose acid reflux. These methods may include x-ray, endoscopy, biopsy, or esophageal acid testing. If he still finds no evidence of acid reflux disease, then he will look for other causes for the patient’s symptoms.
The first step in the treatment of acid reflux disease is the modification of lifestyle and eating habits. Smoking and alcohol use can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms, as can many foods like chocolate and peppermint. These things should be reduced or stopped completely. Caffeine should also be avoided. If these changes don’t work over the counter antacids will be tried, or a mild prescription. The next step if these fail would be a foam barrier (a tablet that forms a foam that prevents the acid from escaping your stomach) or ultimately surgery.
As you can see, acid reflux disease can be painful and potentially dangerous. If you think you have acid reflux, discuss it with your physician.
Learn more about acid reflux, acid reflux cough, foods that cause acid reflux, natural cure for acid reflux, stop acid reflux, what is acid reflux, acid reflux foods to avoid, acid reflux causes, acid reflux diet tips, how to recognize acid reflux disease, and recognizing symptoms of GERD.
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