What is Acid Reflux, Causes, and How to Treat it?
You may have experienced the conditions in which liquid and gas from flowing into the esophagus stomach turn. Mouth so bitter and chest burning. This condition is called acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux. Even stomach acid can flow up into the throat (pharynx) and mouth.
Almost everyone has experienced this condition, which usually lasts only a short time. In some people, acid reflux is more common that it becomes a disease called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). By repeated exposure to acidic gastric fluid in the long term can lead to complications, such as sores (ulcers) and inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis). Scar tissue then appears in the esophagus and lead to a narrowing (stricture), which makes it difficult to swallow. Normal tissue in the esophagus can even be replaced by abnormal tissue that could potentially be cancer of the esophagus (esophageal adenocarcinoma). Fortunately, these complications are relatively rare.
Cause of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux occurs because of the lower esophageal sphincter (ring of muscle at the lower end of esophagus) fails to contract properly. This sphincter functions as a one-way valve that prevents stomach contents flow upwards.
Acid reflux may not be related to any cause. However, some of the following conditions may also be the cause:
- Hiatal hernia. Pipe throat bulge through the diaphragm prevents the closure of the sphincter.
- Obesity. Excessive fat in the abdominal cavity increases the pressure. This causes the stomach contents to flow into the esophagus.
- Pregnancy. The enlarged uterus pressing on the abdomen during pregnancy, creating greater pressure to increase the likelihood of reflux. In addition, hormonal changes cause the esophageal sphincter relaxes during pregnancy.
- Food. The more food in the stomach, the higher the tendency to reflux. This trend was also increased after eating fatty foods are slowly digested.
- Smoking. Smoking prevent esophageal sphincter works properly, reduce the rate of stomach emptying and increase gastric acid production.
- Constipation. Constipation increases the tendency to reflux by increasing the pressure in the abdominal cavity.
- Lying. Reflux tendency increases when you lie down.
Treatment of Acid Reflux
That does not interfere with acid reflux do not need treatment. If the disturbing, the symptoms can be commuted with drugs that neutralize or reduce gastric acid secretion (antisida, histamine-2 antagonists, etc.). Drugs that speed up the emptying of the stomach may also be given if you do not respond to other treatments. Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate medication for you.
If frequent or severe symptoms, examination and further treatment is needed. Other illnesses can have similar symptoms and a combination of prescription drugs with other therapies may be needed to reduce reflux. In a small number of cases, the problem may be solved with laparoscopic surgical procedures to strengthen the esophageal sphincter.
Tips for you
Do the following things to prevent or reduce acid reflux
- Try to lose weight if you are overweight.
- Avoid eating or eating too much fat-rich foods before bedtime
- quit smoking
- Avoid stimulants of gastric acid, such as chocolate, coffee and certain drugs (eg anticholinergics).
- Consider taking the easy digestion of food such as fruits and vegetables, probiotics, and dietary fiber supplement.
- Apply 7 eating habits that facilitate digestion.
