Acid Reflux Problems Should Be Treated As Quickly As Possible
Acid
reflux is
widely prevalent and associated with a variety of
health problems and clinical
manifestations. The main symptoms
associated with acid reflux or GERD are heartburn
and regurgitation. Acid reflux may be physiologic
when the episodes occur after meals, are short
lived, asymptomatic and rarely occur at rest or
during sleep. Pathologic reflux on the other hand
is associated with symptoms or injury to the
esophageal mucosa and often includes nocturnal
episodes.
When
we eat, the food passed down the esophagus into
the stomach. The cells in the stomach make acid
and other enzymes to help digest the food. The
stomach cells also make mucus to protect them from
the acid. The esophagus has no such protection. A
band of circular muscles at the junction of the
esophagus and stomach, called the “lower
esophageal sphincter” relaxes to allow the food to
go down but tightens again to stop the contents of
the stomach from refluxing back again.
Malfunctioning of the sphincter causes acid
reflux. Sometimes the increase in pressure in the
stomach also causes the sphincter to relax, for
example, during pregnancy, after a large meal,
bending, hiatus hernia etc. Regular heartburn is
also common in smokers, pregnant women, heavy
drinkers, obese people, and older people.
The
main symptoms of acid reflux are heartburn, acid
taste in the mouth, bloating, and belching. Other
symptoms may be a persistent cough at night,
hoarseness, asthma, or even severe chest pain
which may be mistaken for a heart
attack.
If
the acid reflux is adequately controlled, most
patients do not develop any complications.
However, in people with severe acid reflux,
serious problems may
develop:
1)
Ulcers. The stomach acid can cause ulcers in the
sensitive tissue of the esophagus. There may be
bleeding from the
ulcers.
2)
Stricture. Persistent damage can cause the
esophagus to scar and narrow causing blockage,
called “stricture” that can cause difficulty is
swallowing the food.
3)
Lung and throat problems. Sometimes the acid
refluxes into the throat and causes inflammation
of the vocal cords, a sore throat, or a hoarse
voice. In extreme cases, the acid may be aspirated
into the lungs causing pneumonia or asthma-like
symptoms. Chronic acid reflux in the lungs can
lead to pulmonary
fibrosis.
4)
Barrett’s esophagus. Repeated damage to the
esophageal lining causes the normal squamous cells
to be replaced by precancerous cells.
5)
Esophageal cancer. A small percentage of people
with Barrett’s esophagus develop
adenocarcinoma.
While
an occasional bout of heartburn after a heavy meal
is common and no cause for concern, frequent
attacks call for medical intervention. But drugs
like antacids and acid blockers relieve only the
symptoms without removing the cause. So, acid
reflux is best treated by holistic medicine. It
takes into account the entire body and not just
the symptoms. Small lifestyle changes along with
dietary modifications, stress relief measures,
weight management will get rid of the root cause
of the acid
reflux.
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