Frequently Asked Question About Acid Reflux

What is happening when I have acid reflux?

When you have acid reflux, acid and other materials in your stomach flow back (reflux) into your esophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that leads from your throat to your stomach. This backsplash of stomach acid can cause damage to the esophagus over time. (see what is acid reflux for more info)

Why do I experience heartburn when I have acid reflux?

If the materials from the stomach remain in the lower part of the esophagus, they can cause heartburn and nausea.

Is there a cure for acid reflux?

It depends on how you define a cure. If you a looking for a magical pill that will just do the job, nope, there is no cure for acid reflux. Most medicines and treatments only relieve the symptoms. Acid reflux results from the way you eat and live. The only cure is to change your diet and lifestyle.

What is the most common symptoms?

The most common is heartburn. It usually hits you 30 to 45 minutes after a heavy meal. Other symptoms include nausea, breathing difficulty, bloating etc. Read the articles in Acid Reflux Symptoms for more info.

What should I do if I have occasional heartburn?

1) Avoid foods and beverages that may cause acid reflux.

2) Quick smoking if you do because tobacco makes your acid reflux worse.

3) Change your eating habit. Don't over-eat. You may want to eat less but more often. When you eat, always make it a habit to chew the food properly before swallowing it. This will greatly improve the workload on your stomach. Last but not least, try to eat before 8pm or at least 3 hours before you sleep.

4) If the heartburn is unbearable, you may take some over-the-counter medicines.

Which drugs are best for acid reflux?

The most common over-the-counter medicine is Antacid. Antacids are great for rapid relief of heartburn symptoms because they directly decrease the acidity of the reflux liquid in your stomach. But keep in mind that such drugs merely suppress the symptom. The condition will recur if drugs are discontinued.

Is there any side effect of long term use of antacids?

Some antacids such as Milk of Magnesia may result in diarrhea. Others like Amphogel, Tums, Titralac, Alka-2 and Alternagel may cause constipation.

Most of these antacids are a source of calcium and if dosed in long term, may result in excessive calcium in the blood, leading to kidney failure. They may also increase the risk of kidney stones.

What are the food I should avoid for acid reflux?

Read Food To Avoid For Acid Reflux.