Did you know that your stomach has the same acidity as battery acid? It's no wonder then, that heartburn is so painful when that same acid comes up the esophagus. In some cases, vomit arises resulting from a weakened or relaxed esophageal valve. In other cases, the acid vapors cause a tightness in the chest and temporarily disrupts oxygen flow to the heart, making many people fear they're having a heart attack. Every year 4.6 million Americans visit their doctors to see if they have acid reflux GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
At what point does the occasional heartburn become full-blown acid reflux GERD? If you have chronic heartburn two or more days per week over a several month period, then you probably have GERD symptoms. People have varying sensitivity to stomach acids as well. If you frequently eat within an hour or two of going to sleep and find yourself awake coughing, with a hoarse voice and bitter taste in your mouth the next morning, then you most likely have supine reflux. Over half the people with it suffer nighttime symptoms as well. If left unchecked, then esophagus damage and asthma can occur. Additionally, your reflux symptoms may signify poor nutrition, which can turn into a whole myriad of life-threatening diseases and disorders.
When you see your doctor about acid reflux, there are several tests to determine if your heartburn may damage the esophagus or internal organs. The first test is called an Endoscopy, where a thin, flexible tube and video camera are passed into the mouth, down the esophagus and into the stomach. Don't worry - you'll be sedated and you won't feel a thing! The second test your doctor may perform is called a Barium Esophagram. This test observes the shape of the esophagus, looking for abnormalities in the stomach and throat. You'll drink a chalky liquid containing barium, which coats the esophagus and stomach, and allows them to be viewed in an X-ray. A third procedure, known as Esophageal pH Monitoring, tests for the amount of acid in the esophagus over time. In one variation of this test, a tiny tube goes in through the nose, into the esophagus and an acid monitor on the tip measures acid levels over a 24-hour period.
The other way to monitor consists of attaching a medicine capsule sized monitor during an endoscopy, which tests acid over a 48-hour period when the monitor is passed out like food. While these may seem uncomfortable, keep in mind that it's better than dealing with a rotted esophagus later!
The treatment options for acid reflux GERD varies from patient to patient. Some people take antacids, which neutralize the stomach acids and helps to control the symptoms. Other patients take mucosal protective agents to protect the esophagus. Sucralfate suspension, available only by prescription, acts like a gel layer that blocks stomach juices from rising out of the stomach. The thick Alginic acid is an over-the-counter method where the heartburn medicine floats on top of stomach acid to block esophagus contact.
A third treatment involves Promotility or Prokinetic Agents (prescribed Metoclopramide) which encourages the stomach to empty acid before it becomes a problem. A fourth option helps you reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces by giving patients Acid-suppressive H2 Receptor Antagonists or Proton Pump Inhibitors. In addition to these measures, doctors usually advocate that patients try to lose weight, quit smoking, wear looser fitting clothes, eat smaller meals, buy new pillows and avoid eating by several hours before sleeping. Trigger foods like chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, caffeine, citrus, tomatoes and high fat foods are also to be avoided. It may seem like a hefty price to pay, but consider that the cost is your life!
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