Acid reflux occurs when gastric juices containing acid travel back from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube through which we swallow). In some people, this happens regularly. The question then becomes gastroesophageal reflux disease, or RGO.
The food in the stomach is partially digested by stomach acid and enzymes. Normally, the muscles of the stomach push the partially digested acidic content in the small intestine for further digestion. In the case of reflux; acid content of the stomach travels backwards to get into the esophagus, causing inflammation and lesions.
Risk Factors
Factors that contribute to acid reflux include fatty foods, cigarettes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, obesity, pregnancy and slowing gastric emptying. In the case of obesity, pregnancy, pressure on the abdomen (belly), squeezing the contents of the stomach into the esophagus increases.
Also, some people have a stomach that empties slowly into the intestine. A stomach which is full of food becomes prone to reflux, especially when the person is lying down.
Symptoms
The symptoms of acid reflux include heartburn (a burning feeling from the stomach or lower chest and up towards the neck), regurgitation (food or liquid that goes in the mouth), chest pain, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), hoarseness, dental disease and asthma.
Treatment
Medications are commonly used to treat acid reflux. Inhibitors of proton pump and H2 receptor antagonists are used to reduce the production of acid in the stomach. As for prokinetic agents, they increase the pressure of lower esophageal sphincter and improve gastric emptying.
In addition, antacids are often used to treat acid-related symptoms such as heartburn or digestive problems. They work by neutralizing acid in the stomach. However, we do not usually recommend for treating frequent heartburn suffered by people with RGO.
