Acid reflux disease is a problem that affects huge numbers of people around the world. It can often be mistaken for heartburn, which is in fact the main symptom of acid reflux disease. By the end of this article, you will have an introductory knowledge about acid reflux disease.
People who suffer from acid reflux disease tend to suffer because the muscle at the base of their esophagus is weaker than normal. Why is this a problem you might ask. The reason is that this muscle is designed to allow food to flow in one direction i.e. towards the stomach. However, if the muscle is weak, acidic gastric juices are able to backwash from the stomach and get through to the esophagus. The unpleasant burning feeling (heartburn) felt in the chest and throat is the result of the acid reaching the tender tissue of the esophagus.
Of course, the major symptom of acid reflux disease is the heartburn we have just described. Other symptoms include regurgitation of food, pains in the chest, swallowing difficulties, nausea after eating and coughing.
One of the main reasons acid reflux occurs is to do with the food that a person eats and in what quantities. Eating large amounts of fatty, greasy and acidic foods can very often cause heartburn as does too much alcohol or fizzy drinks. The symptoms can be increased when the person is in certain positions such as lying down sleeping, bending or lifting.
Fortunately for those suffering from this painful disease, there are a variety of treatments available. One of the first methods of treatment that will be advised is simply to make lifestyle changes in the form of eating less of the foods that cause acid reflux and more of the foods that do not. However, in more severe cases simply changing the diet may not be enough to stem the symptoms of acid reflux disease.
For those that need more assistance in battling acid reflux disease than modifying their diet, prescribed drug treatments may be required. A variety of drugs including Carafate, Prevacid, Reglan, Zantac, Nexium, Protonix and Prilosec are available and your doctor will prescribe what he feels is best for you.
Treatment of acid reflux disease will not result in the condition disappearing overnight. However, a combination of diet changes and drug treatments should certainly result in the problem coming under control sooner rather than later.
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