Stomach Acid Therapy

Hydrochloric acid, also known as stomach acid, is required to aid in the digestion of the foods you eat. Valves keep stomach acid and digestive fluids from leaking out into your esophagus. Several therapies have proven successful in relieving conditions that develop when weakened or malfunctioning valves cause leakage of stomach acid and the burning sensation referred to as heartburn. The three most commonly known conditions are acid reflux, GERD and bile reflux.

Causes

• The esophagus is a tube that extends from the mouth to the stomach. The esophageal valve separates the esophagus from the stomach and remains closed, only opening to allow food to pass through. Using a wave-like movement, muscles in the wall of your esophagus move food down into your stomach. Gravity and swallowing also assist in the passage of food through the esophagus.

  Hydrochloric acid can reflux (back up) into the esophagus due to a faulty esophageal valve. Over time, acid reflux can worsen and develop into a more severe form of this problem known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

  Bile is a digestive fluid produced by your liver, stored in the gall bladder and released into the small intestine when needed to aid in the digestion of fat. The pyloric valve is a muscle separating the stomach from the small intestine. During the digestive process, this valve opens to allow food to leave the stomach and pass into the small intestine. As stated by the Mayo Clinic, if the valve malfunctions, bile refluxes into the stomach causing it to become inflamed. When bile backs up from the stomach into the esophagus, it can cause burning in your chest and throat as well. Therapy differs slightly for acid reflux, GERD and bile reflux, also known as gastritis.

Therapy for Acid Reflux

• The Mayo Clinic recommends some lifestyle changes to help alleviate acid reflux. Consuming smaller meals eaten more frequently helps to avoid too much pressure on the esophageal valve, thereby lessening the possibility of acid backing out of your stomach. Elevating the head of your bed 6 inches to allow gravity to assist in keeping the acid from refluxing is another way to treat this problem. Propping yourself up on pillows does not work as well because your entire body, not just the upper half, has to be angled downward for this option to work. Eating before going to bed is not recommended because when you lie down your body is vertical and gravity cannot help to keep the acid in your stomach while you are in this position.

  Some foods can cause an increase in stomach acid. Caffeine, citrus fruits and their juices, tomatoes, chocolate, carbonated drinks, and alcohol are among the culprits. Aspirin and ibuprofen can have the same effect. Avoiding these foods and medications is vital to the success of stomach acid therapy.

  For additional relief, the Mayo Clinic recommends over-the-counter medications such as Tums, an antacid, or Tagamet HB and Pepcid AC, H-2-receptor blockers that slow down the secretion of acid. The Mayo Clinic also suggests Prilosec OTC, a proton pump inhibitor to block acid production and help heal tissues in the esophagus damaged by acid reflux.

Therapy for GERD

• Therapy for GERD is similar to the treatment recommendations for acid reflux. Your doctor may prescribe medications similar to the over-the-counter drugs listed above, but more potent in strength. However, as stated by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), persistent or worsening heartburn may require medical tests. An upper endoscopy is one of the tests, and it can usually be performed in your doctor's office. You will be lightly sedated and a thin tube will be inserted into you throat to enable your doctor to examine the esophagus for possible damage caused by GERD. This will assist in the selection of the medication needed to treat your condition. If your condition worsens or does not respond favorably to medication, a surgical procedure may be required to tighten the muscle that controls the esophageal valve.

Therapy for Bile Reflux

• Lifestyle changes for bile reflux are similar to those recommended by the Mayo Clinic for acid reflux but also include limiting fatty foods, weight loss if you are overweight, and stress reduction by utilizing meditation or deep breathing to promote a more relaxed state. Smoking cessation is recommended for acid reflux and bile reflux.

  Prescription medications to speed up digestion and decrease the amount of time food spends in your stomach may be prescribed by your doctor, as stated by the Mayo Clinic. Other medications that may be beneficial in treating bile reflux include proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium and Prevacid used to block acid production in acid reflux.

  As per the Mayo Clinic, one of the surgical options available to treat bile reflux involves rerouting bile to a lower section of the small intestine to prevent it from refluxing into the stomach.