A sense of burning pain in the lower chest area, also known as heartburn, is Acid Reflux. It arises due to the movement of the acid in the stomach to the food pipe.
When acid reflux occurs twice or more than twice a week, gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is diagnosed.
It can be one of the fatal problems, which may lead to many further issues and complications. Approximately 20-30 % of people in the world suffer from this problem. We will have a detailed look at this problem, look at a few facts about it, and then further move on to the causes and treatment of this problem.
Some quick facts about Acid Reflux are as follows:
Acid reflux is caused by the flow of acid content from the stomach in an upward direction towards the food pipe into the gullet. Though the alternate name used for it is heartburn, it doesn’t affect the heart. The hydrochloric acid contained in the stomach is in a concentrated form, and it generally facilitates the process of digestion. The lining of the stomach is protected by a mucus layer that adapts itself to protect itself from the effects of this acid. Still, the esophagus, on the other hand, is left unprotected.
The gastroesophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle, allows the food to get into the stomach by acting as a valve and doesn’t let the food get into the esophagus. The moment this valve isn’t able to perform its functions efficiently, the food gets redirected towards the esophagus, which initiates heartburn.
GERD can affect anyone and everyone despite the age-group of the individual, and sometimes it can even happen without any known reason. In most cases, it arises as a result of lifestyle factors. Still, it is essential to understand that it is doubtful for an individual to prevent themselves from this situation at all times.
One of the nonpreventable causes of GERD is a hernia. Sometimes a hole in the diaphragm can also lead to GERD as the spot makes way for the upper part of the stomach and lets it easily enter the chest cavity.
Some of the other factors that can influence the cause of acid reflux are:
A state of pregnancy can also play a role in causing acid reflux as an extra strain acts upon all the various internal organs during pregnancy.
When it comes to Acid Reflux or heartburn treatment, there are many options available. The use of PPIs is most common among people who tend to experience regular and repeated acid reflux. People also use H2 blockers to decrease the amount of acid produced and eventually reduce acid reflux.
The critical thing to note here is that most of the medications used for acid reflux are considered safe, but there may be a few side effects you need to be careful about when it comes to prescription drugs.
Antacids are available for people who don’t usually experience acid reflux regularly, and the reflux only gets triggered when particular occasional food or drinks are taken. It is also known as an OTC treatment.
It involves using a liquid or tablets, and they are very effective, but they don’t always work for everyone, and thus it is advised to discuss its use with a doctor. These are considered very beneficial for short-term relief, and they can give instantaneous relief from acid reflux.
Gaviscon is considered one of the best ways to deal with heartburn, and the way it works is very different from that of an antacid drug. Their working mechanism involves creating a mechanical barrier against the stomach and forms a foamy gel that lies at the site of the gastric pool. It helps in changing the contents of the reflux by being present at that site. When the reflux happens, this alginic acid flows in an upward direction instead of the HCl from the stomach, which eventually makes it painless and harmless.
Dr. Piyush Ranjan Gastro Doctor in Delhi, an expert in gastroenterology and gastric problem.
Dr. Piyush Ranjan, a distinguished Gastroenterologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi has done his medical schooling from Maulana Azad Medical College New Delhi and subsequent training in Gastroenterology from SGPGI, Lucknow in 2003.
