Josh was complaining of pain in the chest and a burning sensation in his throat accompanied by a sour taste and the feeling of foods going back to his throat, making him feel vomiting. He has been like this for weeks.
What Josh is experiencing is called acid reflux also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or simply called GERD. It is a condition where the gastric juice containing the acid travels back from the stomach to the esophagus. The damage that the acid coming up the esophagus causes chronic symptoms which includes the heartburn, as Josh complained. The changes in the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, including the abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter that normally holds the top of the stomach closed and the impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus are the underlying causes to this problem. Other known symptoms include burning feeling from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck. Regurgitation or simply bringing of food back into the mouth, difficulty of swallowing, hoarseness of voice, dental erosion and asthma (for which the acidic juices had made their way into the throat, mouth and air passages of the lungs). The acid that goes back to the esophagus may lead to esophagitis, a condition where the lining of the esophagus is damaged and becomes ulcerated and can result in narrowing, making swallowing of food and liquids, painful and difficult. These are just some of the symptoms reported by people suffering from acid reflux, symptoms that may vary from gender and age.
How does one actually get acid reflux symptoms or GERD?
The food that we ate is partially digested by the stomach acid and enzymes. Enzymes are chemicals that help break down food so the body can use and absorb it. Normally, the food that is digested in the stomach is delivered into the small intestines for further digestion. In persons with acid reflux, stomach acid content travels back to the esophagus causing inflammation and damage.
Factors contributing to acid reflux include fatty foods, cigarettes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, obesity, pregnancy and delayed emptying of the stomach. There are some people whose stomach empties their content into the intestines so slowly. Stomach full of food and acid is more prone to acid reflux, especially if one lies down after eating.
How serious is acid reflux? How does it affect ones’ life? For most people with acid reflux, the discomfort associated with it affects the quality of life and their everyday activities, their work, and their families.
The bile reflux can be treated by the use of acid suppressants or proton pump inhibitor that helps reduce the production of acids in the stomach by acting on the cells that line up the stomach wall that makes the acid. Other known remedies are the use of prokinetics which helps the stomach empty properly so it does not overfill. Prokinetics work by increasing the pressure of the esophageal sphincter, a muscular valve between the lower end of the stomach and the small bowel. Other common treatment includes the use of over the counter medicines, antacid. They work to treat mild acid related symptoms by neutralizing acid in the stomach.
Acid reflux, if diagnosed immediately can be treated and whose symptoms can not affect severely your day to day activities and your life. If any of the symptoms are felt, it is best that you consult your physician. Remember, the earlier a problem can be detected the easier it is to cure.