What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux is a condition where gastric juices containing acid
travel back from the stomach into the esophagus (gullet or swallowing
tube). Symptoms of acid reflux include:

• Heartburn (a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck).
  
• Regurgitation (bringing food back up into the mouth).
  
• Chest pain.
  
• Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia).
  
• Hoarseness,
  dental erosion and asthma (because acidic juices can make their way
  into the throat, mouth and air passages of the lungs).
  

How do you get Acid Reflux?

Some people experience this problem regularly and have a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

• The
  food in the stomach is partially digested by stomach acid and enzymes,
  which are special chemicals that help to break down food so the body can
  use it.
  
• Normally, the partially digested acidic content in the
  stomach is delivered by the stomach muscle into the small intestine
  (bowel) for further digestion.
  
• In patients with acid reflux, stomach acid content travels backwards into the esophagus, causing inflammation and damage.
  
• Factors
  contributing to acid reflux include fatty foods, cigarettes, chocolate,
  caffeine, alcohol, obesity, pregnancy and delayed stomach emptying.
  
• Obesity and pregnancy increase pressures within the abdomen (body trunk), pushing the stomach contents back into the esophagus.
  Some patients have stomachs that empty their contents into the intestines very slowly.
  
• A stomach full of food and acid is more prone to reflux, especially when the patient lies down (supine)..
  

How serious is Acid Reflux?

For most people with acid reflux, the discomfort associated with
symptoms can affect quality of life and everyday activities, including
work. Acid reflux is also the cause of heartburn and in severe cases,
this can be very troublesome. When esophagatis is present the lining of
the esophagus is damaged and may become ulcerated and can result in
narrowing, making swallowing of food and, sometimes, liquids, painful
and difficult.

How long does Acid Reflux last?

Acid reflux can last several months or longer if not treated. Drug
treatment is often only needed for a short time although it may have to
be repeated since some symptoms may re-occur.

How is Acid Reflux treated?

Medications commonly used in the treatment of acid reflux include:

• Acid
  suppressants, such as histamine2-receptor antagonists (blockers).
  Histamine is a chemical released in the body under different conditions,
  but particularly during inflammation. In the stomach it can release
  more acid, so blocking it reduces acid production.
  
• Proton pump
  inhibitors, which reduce the production of acid in the stomach by acting
  on cells in the stomach wall that make acid and release it into the
  stomach.
  
• Prokinetic agents, which promote emptying of the
  stomach so it does not overfill. They work by increasing the pressure of
  the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscular valve between the lower
  end of the stomach and the small bowel)
  
• Antacids are
  over-the-counter medicines that are commonly used to treat mild
  acid-related symptoms, like heartburn or indigestion, and work by
  neutralising acid in the stomach. However, they are not usually
  recommended to treat the frequent heartburn suffered by people with
  GERD.