Acid Reflux Or HeartBurn
- This is also Called Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) And is associated with heart burn ,difficulty in swallowing,inflammation in esophagus,Ulcer may occur with acid reflux.
- Acid Reflux is basically used for the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophageal tube that connects the stomach and throat.
- There is a valve in the stomach entrance this valve is basically a ring of muscle called Lower esophageal Sphincter (LES).Normally this valve closes as soon as the food passes through it but in acid reflux disease this valve remain open for a long time which let the acid move up into the esophagus.
Most common Risk factor for acid reflux disease :
(a)Overweight or Obese
(b)Lying Down Right after meal
(c)Eating Large Meals
(d)Eating certain food such as tomato,mint,onions,garlic,citrus,chocolate and other spicy foods.
(e)Smoking
(f)Taking Ibuprofen,aspirin and other muscle relaxers ,or BP medications.
(g)Drinking certain beverages such as carbonated drinks ,alcohols and tea or cofee.
Home remedies For HeartBurn
Patient with acid relfux or GERD should be advised about life style changing,weight reduction ,Following are some of the home remedies which will help reduce stomach acid,
(1)Chew Gum
Chewing a piece of sugar free gum for 30 minute will reduce the acid in the stomach because of the production of saliva which dilute the acid present in the stomach.
(2)Eat an Apple or a Banana :
Slice an apple and eat it a couple of hours before bedtime to prevent discomfort another option is a banana .Banana contain natural antacid Which act as a buffer against heart burn .
(3)Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is believed to be one of the best home remedy for number of stomach problems from nausea to acid reflux disease.Sipping a cup of ginger tea about 20 minutes before a meal can help calm down your stomach acid.
(4)Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
Drinking alcohol and Smoking Cigarettes can set you up for a terrible reflux.Because alcohol and nicotine weaken your Lower esophageal Sphincter (LES) making it much easier for stomach contents to move up into your esophagus.So Quit smoking and alcohol will help ease your heartburn and irritation.
(5)Eat Almond
Eat some almond (3-4 almonds)after every meal and every time when you ingest something basically.Almond neutralize the juices in your stomach ,preventing and relieving heart burn.
(6)Don’t Lie Down
Its easy for the stomach acid to move backward when you are lying down on your bed.That is why heartburn tends to get worse at night .its very important to elevate your head about 6 inhes and try to avoid lying down atleast 3-4 hours after eating.
(7)Use Baking Soda
A teaspoon full of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can help relieve the burning sensation of heartburn caused by acid reflux.Baking soda has a PH of more than 7.0 which neutralizes stomach acid .
Symptoms of heartburn
(a)A burning sensation in chest,sometimes spreading to throat,along with a sour tase in mouth.
(b)Dry cough
(c)Chest Pain
(d)Sore throat
(e)Difficulty in swallowing
(f)Sour Liquid or food particle
(g)Bloating
Treatment:
For mild symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn
(1)the initial management may include the use of antacid and alignates.Alignates form a raft that float on the surface of the stomach contents to reduce acid reflux and protect esophagus mucosa.
(2)Histamine H2 receptor antagonist Like cemitidine ,famotidine ranitidine etc may relive the symptoms and reduce the use of antacid.
(3)Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
PPIs Like Omeprazole,esomeprazole,lansoprazole and pantoprazole are more effective as compare to H2 receptor antagonist drugs for relievig symptoms.
For Severe Symptoms of Acid Reflux or Heart Burn
Symptoms Like esophageal ulceration,esophagitis and esophagopharnyngeal relfux the initial management involves the use of a proton pump inhibitors patient need to be reconsider if symptoms persist despite treatment for 4-6 weeks with a PPIs.When symptoms abate treatment is titrated down to a level which maintains remission.For example by reducing the dose of the proton pump inhibitor or by substituting treatmentwith a histamine H -receptor antagonist or by giving it intermittently). However,for endoscopically confirmed erosive, ulcerative, or stricturing disease, or Barrett’s oesophagus, treatment with a proton pump inhibitor usually needs to be maintained at the minimum effective dose.