All about Acid Reflux: Causes, Symptoms & Solution

Everyone has first-hand experience with acid reflux, be it an infant or a senior citizen. Sometimes, you just know what acid reflux is to name the condition you are facing. 

Food normally only moves forward, so these acid refluxes occur when the content of the stomach is constantly trying to move backward. The content most of the time is acidic thus when it tries reaching the esophagus it causes a burning sensation, this sensation is called acid reflux.

Is Acid Reflux a Disease?

Acid reflux is very common and it cannot be considered as a disease. Acid reflux occurs when you consume very rich food. It usually causes a burning kind of sensation in the esophagus, in and around the stomach and chest. This happens because the acid seeps into the areas where it is not supposed to be.

Occasional acid reflux is common for everyone. However, if you experience acid reflux more than twice a week that might mean it is a chronic condition. You might as well consult a doctor.

It indicates a chronic condition, and this chronic condition is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GRED).

Don’t worry, anyone can get this disease but if you are pregnant, obese, or under some medication, then your chances are increased.

While it is common and not always serious, sometimes, it gets confused with heartburn and GERD.

Are Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and GERD the same?

All three are mostly used interchangeably, though their meanings are different from each other. Let’s understand one by one.

Acid Reflux:

Acid reflux is the process by which the stomach content moves backward towards the esophagus.

Heartburn:

The acidic content makes a burning sensation near the sternum, stomach, or esophagus. The burning sensation felt during acid reflux is called heartburn.

GERD:

GERD, as mentioned before, is a chronic disease where acid reflux is not occasional but it happens regularly. If GERD is not treated on time, it might damage many internal body parts. GERD can always be controlled through regular medication. So, it is recommended that if you’re experiencing acid reflux for a long time, you consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Causes of Acid Reflux:

There isn’t a fixed set of causes of acid reflux. This is why the doctors aren’t even sure as well. Acid reflux can be caused due to many reasons. Some of the most common causes of acid reflux are:

• Pregnancy:

Women experience acid reflux due to an increase in hormones in the body due to pregnancy. Many women experience it for the first time during the pregnancy itself. Acid reflux is the worst in the third trimester, but there is nothing to worry about, it goes away just after the delivery.

• Smoking:

Direct and secondhand smokers both have a high possibility of experiencing acid reflux and GERD. Smoking reduces saliva production, which is responsible for neutralizing the effect of acid. Smoking even increases the acid secretion in the body.

• Hiatal Hernia:

It is a condition in which the stomach bulges above the diaphragm. Normally, the diaphragm stops the movement of acid to the esophagus, but due to the condition, acid directly moves to the esophagus.

• Food:

Food cannot become the sole reason for the reflux. However, it indirectly fuels the occurrence of acid reflux. It is suggested that you make the right food choices, and you should never lie down just after eating as it increases the chances of you having acid reflux. Some of the food types that increase the chances of acid reflux are:

1. Chocolate
2. Alcohol
3. Onion and garlic
4. Carbonated Drinks
5. Fried Food
6. Extra spicy food

Symptoms of Acid Reflux:

There are certain symptoms of Acid Reflux you want to decide whether you’re having acid Reflux or not. They are:

• Burning sensation in the chest, abdomen and stomach
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid in the mouth.
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Lump in throat 

How to prevent Acid reflux?

If you want it is very easy to get acid reflux in control. It mostly only requires some lifestyle changes and you are good to go. You can follow the steps below if you want; they will help you reach your goal.

• Reduce Caffeine intake:

There have been researches that showed that coffee relaxes the lower esophagus increasing acid reflux. That is why it is always recommended to avoid the intake of coffee if you are experiencing acid reflux.

• No Raw Onion:

Eating raw onion and garlic is known for triggering acid reflux. You can always cook the onions and eat them after.

• Limit Alcohol Intake:

Alcohol intake is directly proportional to acid reflux. Even many researchers suggest that alcohol consumption is known for making acid reflux and heartburn worse.

• Maintain your weight:

It would help if youkeptp your weight in check. An increase in belly fat increases the pressure on the abdomen. This pressure creates a bulge in the stomach (hiatal hernia), which prevents the diaphragm from stopping the acid from moving upwards. This increases acid reflux in the body.

Important Note: While these tips are useful, their results may vary for every individual. Therefore, consulting a doctor before making any dietary changes is essential.

To sum it all up, the best way to manage acid reflux combines lifestyle and dietary changes.

By understanding the causes and triggers of your acid reflux, you can take steps to ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

Maintaining a balanced weight and avoiding trigger foods, such as spicy, acidic, or fatty foods, can significantly reduce your acid reflux episode frequency and severity. 

Additional Tip:

Adopting good posture and stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation and yoga, can also help reduce your stress levels and improve your digestive health.

While it is not always serious, if you experience it too often, get yourself tested at the earliest.

You can book your test with Redcliffe Labs. We offer preventive health checkups, a Gut Health Package, a Full Body Checkup, and more under one roof. You can consult the doctor, and they may suggest which one is the right test for you.