Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux affects about 7 million people in the United States. Acid reflux occurs when acid and other stomach fluids move out of the stomach and up into the esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation of the esophageal tissues. This irritation and inflammation cause the characteristic burning symptoms associated with acid reflux, or "heartburn."

Significance

• Occasional acid reflux is fairly common. Acid reflux experienced more than twice a week is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If chronic and not managed well, acid reflux can cause severe damage to the tissues of the esophagus, leading to ulcers and scar tissue as well as increasing the risk of esophageal cancer. Severe acid reflux can also damage the teeth or sinuses if stomach acid is regurgitated high into the back of the throat.

Identification

• Symptoms of acid reflux include burning, warm or sharp pain in the center of the chest or stomach area. Acid reflux pain may also be felt in the back or as a pressure in the chest--similar to angina pain. Acid reflux symptoms occur generally after eating or during the night after lying down. More severe symptoms of acid reflux include an acid taste in the back of the throat or food or liquid that is regurgitated into the mouth.

Prevention/Solution

• If you have chronic acid reflux, get a wedge-shaped pillow and sleep with your head and chest elevated at an angle. This will allow gravity to help any regurgitated stomach acid and fluids flow from the esophagus back into the stomach.

  Herbal remedies including slippery elm and licorice can help to protect the esophagus from acid reflux by supporting the mucous lining and soothing irritated tissue. Look for slippery elm lozenges or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, which has glycyrrhizinic acid removed (this component of licorice can increase blood pressure).

  Eat smaller meals and eat more often to avoid filling the stomach. Avoid foods like coffee, alcohol and peppermint that can relax the esophageal valve (sphincter) and increase acid reflux symptoms.

Considerations

• Acid reflux may be caused by inadequate stomach acid in some people. As you age, your stomach produces less acid. Adequate production of stomach acid is required to close the muscular sphincter that relaxes and constricts to allow food to enter the stomach from the esophagus. When there is not enough stomach acid, this sphincter does not close, allowing what stomach acid that is present in the stomach to regurgitate into the esophagus. Talk to your doctor if you think you have low stomach acid.

Warning

• If untreated and chronic, acid reflux can cause destruction of the tissues of the esophagus. This can create a buildup of scar tissue that can narrow the esophagus (strictures). When scarring is severe, food can get stuck in the narrowed esophagus. The food must then be removed and the esophagus widened. Once esophageal strictures occur, more aggressive means of controlling acid reflux must be used since continued damage and scarring can narrow the esophagus again, requiring additional surgery to correct.