Acid Reflux Disease, Causes, Prevention, And Treatment

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux disease is a common occurrence that afflicts millions of individuals regardless of sex and age.  This is the disorder where the liquids from the stomach reflux or regurgitates upwards back to the esophagus.  The barrier valve between these two organs just simply failed to properly close to prevent the stomach liquids from going back upwards.

These stomach liquids contain acid, pepsin and bile.  This accounts for the burning chest pain and sometimes the bitter taste in the mouth.  The esophageal lining is the most affected, and could be damaged by constant contact with stomach acid.  Most of us have regular episodes of acid reflux disease but most also are not aware of this occurrence.

In normal circumstances, we are blessed we natural protective mechanism against acid reflux disease like gravity (it keeps the stomach liquid down).  Gravity is also the reason why those who suffer chronic heartburn are advised not to lie down at least within three hours after each meal to prevent reflux.  Swallowing is also a protective action of the esophagus as it drives down particles, including regurgitating stomach acids back downwards.  Furthermore, our saliva is rich in bicarbonates that are effective at neutralizing stomach acid that may have remained in the esophagus.

People with acid reflux disease have a greater concentration of stomach acid in the regurgitated liquid.  Also, the heavy concentration of stomach acid in the esophagus of sufferers are too much for the saliva to effectively neutralize.

COMMON CAUSES OF ACID REFLUX DISEASE

There are a lot of causes that contribute to the occurrence of acid reflux disease.  As people have different food preferences or diet, different lifestyles, and different physiological make-up, the triggers of GERD also differ from person to person.  Below are the most common causes.

• Weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter or LES.  When LES is weak or functioning abnormally, it may relax (on its job) that it fails to effectively shut stomach acids from regurgitating.
• Esophageal contractions
• Emptying of the stomach
• Hiatal hernia
• Diet (acidic and fatty foods and drinks)

 

STANDARD TREATMENTS OF ACID REFLUX DISEASE

A doctor attending to an acid reflux disease patient could administer treatments that could range from a specially modified acid reflux diet, change in lifestyle to a surgical operation.  Most medical practitioners recommend a more aggressive treatment against acid reflux disease as this could lead to more serious complications on the esophagus. 

Mostly, lifestyle change becomes the first, and a component of any treatment that will be administered.  We can easily say that lifestyle change encompasses a lot of treatments including surgical procedure.  When a patient follows a modified diet intended for sufferers of acid reflux disease, he changes his lifestyle.  Following a surgery, you would also be required to change your lifestyle, eating habit, etc.  This includes avoiding stress or following a stress-management regimen, weight loss, avoiding alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, etc.  The chronic occurrence of acid reflux disease will also require the sufferer to stay away from foods that are high in fat content, foods that are acidic, some spices, etc.

Other treatments include prescription of acid blocking medications and the ultimate means would be surgery.