Exploring The Acid Reflux Syndrome
More precisely known as the Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease (GERD), acid reflux syndrome is commonly called acid reflux,
reflux, and heartburn (which in fact is the burning effect of the
condition experienced by the patient). Essentially, acid reflux is a
disorder in which the acid contents of the stomach flow back into the
esophagus (hence the name reflux). The reflux causes pain and
inflammation in the lower part of the esophagus.
Symptoms Of Acid Reflux Syndrome
While heartburn remains the main symptom of acid reflux, a number of
associated symptoms are reported including difficulty in swallowing,
cramping, sore throat, hoarseness, pain below the breastbone, spitting
up at night, unusually high salivation, coughing, bad breath, shortness
of breath, and vomiting. Symptoms may appear when one lies down after
eating but feels relieved upon sitting up. Severe heartburn can spread
to jaw, neck, arms, and back. Regurgitating stomach contents into the
mouth is a common symptom among those suffering from heartburn. This
leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Frequent occurrence of reflux is
threatening to health because it leads to reflux esophagitis, esophageal
narrowing, esophageal ulcer, and Barrett’s syndrome, which is a change
in the lining of the esophagus that can lead to esophageal cancer.
Causes Of Acid Reflux Syndrome
The main cause of reflux of acid from the stomach is poor functioning of
lower esophageal sphincter (LES). While it remains tightly closed in
normal conditions, a number of factors can cause the LES to open and let
stomach acids reflux. These factors include taking very heavy meals,
lying down soon after eating (within two hours), and use of certain
drugs like diazepam, meperidine, morphine, prostaglandins, calcium
channel blockers, nitrate heart medications and others. In prone
individuals, greasy food and certain food items like chocolate and
peppermint can also relax the LES and increase the chances of reflux.
Items like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine may aggravate the symptoms of
acid reflux syndrome.
Victims Of Acid Reflux Syndrome
Acid reflux can strike anyone independent of his/her age or sex etc.
However, it is most likely to affect people who are overweight, are
suffering from hiatal hernia, recurring vomiting, or scleroderma
(hardening of skin and connective tissue). Among women, reflux has also
been reported to occur more frequently during pregnancy.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests for acid reflux syndrome x-rays (taken after the
patient takes a barium solution) and esophagoscopy in which a flexible
viewing tube is inserted into the esophagus for a close examination.
Biopsy may be taken during this test and tested for Barrett’s syndrome.
Esophageal manometry (which measures pressure in the lower esophageal
sphincter) and the Bernstein test (which measures the acidity in the
esophagus) might also be carried out.
Treatment Of Acid Reflux Syndrome
In mild cases of reflux, taking antacids after meals and at bedtime
suffices as treatment. Recommended position in lying down is raising the
head of your bed so as to keep the acid flowing away from the esophagus
during sleep. Avoiding fatty foods and drinks such as coffee and alcohol
that can aggravate reflux goes together with treatment. Drugs for acid
reflux syndrome include histamine receptor blockers that help to reduce
stomach acids, proton-pump inhibitors (which are more effective at
inhibiting acid production), prokinetic or motility drugs (that make the
lower esophageal sphincter close more tightly), and omepraxole or
lansoprazole, (which can quickly heal esophageal inflammation). In
severe reflux conditions, when other treatment methods do not prove
effective, surgery is performed. Figures show that less than 25% of
reflux patients require surgery.
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