Acid reflux is a GI condition where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus.
The medical term for acid reflux is gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
Occasional acid reflux isn’t always something to be concerned about but talk to your doctor if it persists.
WHAT IS ACID REFLUX?
Acid reflux, a common GI condition, occurs when stomach acid flows out of the stomach and up into the esophagus.
Acid reflux, medically known as GERD, isn’t something to be concerned about if it happens on occasion. Frequent acid reflux is not only annoying but can indicate an underlying condition. Untreated GERD can result in asthma, changes to the esophagus, or other serious complications, so contact Charleston GI today if acid reflux is disrupting your life. No referral needed!
CAUSES
Foods that are high in acid or fat, like citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, coffee, onions, cheese, and peppermint, are the most common cause of acid reflux. Additionally, acid reflux may be flared up by spicy foods or large foods, especially close to bedtime, smoking, and drinking alcohol. Sometimes, pregnancy can bring on symptoms of acid reflux, like heartburn.
GERD can also be caused by aspirin, ibuprofen, or some sedatives and blood pressure medications.
Stomach ulcers (painful sores on the stomach lining, esophagus, or first section of your small intestine)
Eosinophilic esophagitis (an allergic condition in the esophagus)
ACID REFLUX VS GERD
Acid reflux and GERD may be closely related, but the two terms aren’t exactly the same thing. Acid reflux is simply a common gastrointestinal condition that can be caused on occasion by big meals, spicy foods, drinking a lot of coffee, or eating too close to bedtime. Acid reflux as something that happens on occasion, isn’t something to be concerned about.
GERD is a more severe form of acid reflux. Occasional acid reflux can progress to GERD if it becomes more frequent. The most common GERD symptom is regularly occurring heartburn, approximately two or more times a week. Those who suffer from GERD may also experience regurgitation of food or sour liquid, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, and trouble swallowing, especially while lying down.
DIAGNOSTICS TEST
Ambulatory acid (pH) probe test: This test places a monitor in your esophagus which identifies when and for how long stomach acid comes back up.
Esophageal manometry: This test allows your doctor to measure your esophagus’ rhythmic muscle contractions when you swallow.
Transnasal esophagoscopy: This test looks for any damage in your esophagus, using a thin, flexible tube with a video camera that is put through your nose and moved down your throat into your esophagus.
Upper endoscopy: This procedure involves your doctor inserting a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera down your throat to view your esophagus.
X-ray: They will take an image of your upper digestive system for your doctor to view.
WHEN TO SEE DOCTOR
The occasional bout of acid reflux isn't typically a concern. When these bouts of acid reflux become more frequent, it may be a signal of an underlying issue. Treatment may be necessary if you’re experiencing one of more of the following:
Acid reflux symptoms occurring most days over a three-week period or longer
Acid reflux that doesn’t respond to dietary/lifestyle changes or over-the-counter drugs
Additional symptoms like food getting stuck in the throat, unexplained weight loss, or frequent vomiting
If you are dealing with acid reflux or GERD, your doctor may first recommend making certain lifestyle changes or stopping taking certain medications to reduce your symptoms. Other treatment options may include:
Over-the-counter medications, such as:
Antacids to relieve heartburn
H2 blockers to reduce the production of stomach acid
Proton pump inhibitors to reduce stomach acid production and help heal the esophagus lining
Surgical procedures for severe GERD, such as:
Bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery
Fundoplication, which involves sewing around the top of the stomach to keep stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus
Endoscopy, which is a procedure used to diagnose GI conditions and treatment symptoms using an endoscope.
PREVENTION
Acid reflux prevention typically starts with avoiding foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms. In addition to cutting out trigger foods, you can also take other steps, including:
Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day
Quit smoking
Raise your head four to six inches when sleeping by using blocks or pillows
Stop eating two to three hours before lying down
Take daytime naps in a chair
Avoid tight clothes and belts
Take the steps to lose weight through diet changes and exercise
Talk to your doctor about your medications and whether they could be contributing to your symptoms
How to Prevent Acid Reflux While Sleeping
Dealing with acid reflux while sleeping can be uncomfortable - and frightening if it makes you feel like you’re choking. There are several measures you can take to help reduce and prevent acid reflux from occurring at night. These include:
Avoiding foods that trigger GERD:
Some trigger foods may include:
Acidic foods, like citrus fruits or tomatoes
Alcoholic beverages
Caffeinated beverages
Carbonated beverages
Chocolate
High-fat or greasy foods
Mint
Salt or salted foods
Spicy foods
Avoid eating right before bedtime
Giving your dinner more time to digest and emptying from your stomach can help reduce the risk of acid traveling back up your esophagus during the night.
Wear loose-fitting clothing
Tight-fitting clothes, especially those around your waist or abdomen, can put unnecessary pressure on your stomach.
Change your sleeping position
Instead of lying flat, try elevating your head with a wedge pillow or stacked pillows to keep your head at an angle. This allows gravity to work in your favor and helps keep acid from backing up into your esophagus while sleeping.
Experiencing occasional acid reflux is uncomfortable, but it is not a life-threatening disease. If GERD becomes more chronic, it can point to a more serious GI condition, such as esophageal cancer.
Can you live a long life with acid reflux?
Yes, you can! GERD may be a painful annoyance in your day, but it isn’t life-threatening. Managing your symptoms effectively can help you stay healthy and improve your quality of life. Some therapies work better for some people, so talk to your doctor about alleviating your GERD symptoms.
Can I have a fulfilling sex life with acid reflux?
Yes, you absolutely can! While acid reflux might require some adjustments, it shouldn't stop you from having a satisfying sex life.
According to research published in the National Library of Medicine, sexual intercourse itself doesn't typically increase acid reflux episodes. However, some people with GERD might experience heartburn, acid reflux, or difficulty breathing during or before sex. Open communication with your partner and your doctor is key. They can help you find comfortable positions and strategies to manage your symptoms.
Can acid reflux kill you in your sleep?
No, there are no reported cases of acid reflux causing a person to choke to death in their sleep. Acid reflux may disrupt your sleep, but it isn’t fatal. Not treating acid reflux, or GERD can cause other health issues like sinusitis and esophageal ulcers.
Can you choke on acid reflux in your sleep?
GERD can cause regurgitation of acid in your sleep, which can lead to choking or needing to cough from the acid coming back up the esophagus. There are no reported cases of acid reflux causing a person to choke to death in their sleep.
How long should I eat before bed?
Our GI doctors advise waiting at least two to three hours after eating before going to bed. This gives your body ample time to digest your food and helps prevent acid reflux.
Can the cold cause acid reflux?
Believe it or not, cold weather can affect acid reflux for a number of reasons. For example, regular activity can help keep symptoms at bay, but some people are less active and sedentary during cold weather, making acid reflux more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor about acid reflux treatment if your symptoms increase during the colder months.
Is acid reflux common during pregnancy?
Acid reflux and heartburn are common during pregnancy. These symptoms can be triggered by hormonal changes and the baby pushing against your stomach. Changes to diet and lifestyle, as well as pregnancy-safe medications, can help ease your symptoms. If you’re experiencing constant acid reflux during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor or visit Charleston GI.
Is acid reflux common during exercise?
Intense or jarring exercise can cause stomach acid to travel back up your esophagus. Before jumping into a high-impact, high-intensity workout, try waiting at least one to two hours after eating.
Is it normal to throw up with acid reflux?
In some cases, GERD can cause nausea and even vomiting. Most of the time, GERD is accompanied by a sour taste, frequent burping, and coughing from acid reflux.
Can acid reflux cause you to cough?
The burning sensation caused by acid reflux can irritate the esophagus and cause you to cough. This is a symptom of GERD.
Can acid reflux cause heart palpitations (fast heart rhythm)?
Acid reflux itself isn’t typically a direct cause for heart palpitations, but anxiety or stress related to your symptoms may cause you to experience a faster heart rhythm.
Can acid reflux cause shortness of breath?
Yes, it can. Stomach acid in your esophagus can result in swelling in your airways, which may cause shortness of breath.
Is heartburn a required symptom of acid reflux?
Not necessarily. Heartburn is a “classic” symptom of acid reflux, but not everyone experiences it. Even if you don’t have heartburn, but suspect you may have acid reflux, talk to your doctor about the other symptoms you are experiencing.
Does acid reflux cause bloating?
While acid reflux itself doesn’t cause bloating, bloating can be associated with reflux symptoms, like burping. If you experience gassiness, abdominal discomfort, or swelling of your abdomen, talk to your doctor.
Does acid reflux cause chest pain?
Chest pain is a common symptom of acid reflux and GERD. Chest pain or discomfort related to GERD is typically called noncardiac chest pain.
Can acid reflux lead to bad breath?
Yes, the backflow of stomach acid and/or undigested food associated with GERD, or chronic acid reflux, can cause bad breath.
Does drinking water help acid reflux?
Acid reflux often causes a burning sensation in the throat or the chest, which can be a nuisance and not to mention uncomfortable. Drinking water, low-fat milk, and herbal teas can help manage the discomfort and acid reflux symptoms. Alcoholic drinks, caffeinated drinks, and sodas can worsen symptoms.
What settles acid reflux quickly?
Ways to help reduce your acid reflux and relieve symptoms include:
Over-the-counter antacids
Chewing gum
Loosening your belt or changing into looser clothes
Straightening your posture
Eating two to three hours before sleeping
Changing sleeping positions
Managing your stress
What can I drink to stop acid reflux?
Drinks that can help reduce acid reflux symptoms include water, low-fat milk, and herbal teas. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and soda to help prevent acid reflux.
How do I stop acid reflux at night?
Some ways to reduce acid reflux at night include:
Avoid eating three hours before bedtime
Eliminate fatty or spicy foods with your last meal
Elevate your head while sleeping
Avoid drinking coffee and alcohol in the evening
Drink plenty of water
Choose loose clothing to sleep in
Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet
Are TUMS any good for acid reflux?
TUMS and other over-the-counter antacids can provide temporary relief for your acid reflux. The key ingredient, calcium carbonate, quickly eases symptoms and helps you get on with your day. If your heartburn or acid reflux persists, contact our Charleston gastroenterology specialists.
Do magnesium supplements help relieve acid reflux?
Magnesium is effective for providing some temporary relief for your acid reflux. Some antacids have magnesium as an ingredient mixed with aluminum hydroxide or calcium carbonate. This combination neutralizes the acid to reduce your acid reflux symptoms.
Is acid reflux and GERD the same thing?
GERD is typically classified by chronic acid reflux, while not everyone who experiences occasional acid reflux has GERD. These terms are related but are not interchangeable.
Is acid reflux normal?
While uncomfortable, occasional acid reflux isn’t necessarily a concern - it is common. Acid reflux can be caused by a number of factors, like eating a big meal or indulging in some alcoholic beverages. Chronic acid reflux can have a bigger impact on your quality of life, as it can wear on your tissues. Chronic reflux is usually a symptom of GERD and can be a precursor for other more serious GI conditions. Speak with your primary care doctor directly or a Charleston GI doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.
Can acid reflux disease be treated with medications?
Acid reflux can typically be treated using medications, including antacids like Alka-Seltzer, Mylanta, Rolaids, or Riopan, all of which neutralize the acid in your stomach. Only use these medications as prescribed and talk to your doctor about which over-the-counter antacids they recommend and how you should use them.
Your doctor may also suggest other medications, such as H2 blockers (Pepcid, Tagamet) to decrease acid production, proton pump inhibitors (Aciphex, Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix) to reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes, or foaming agents (Gaviscon) to coat your stomach to prevent reflux. Some of these medications may require a prescription so discuss your symptoms with your doctor or schedule an appointment with Charleston GI.
Will acid reflux ever go away?
If you are an adult with GERD, the condition won’t go away on its own. There are treatments to help you manage it, like over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, or surgery if your doctor feels it is the best route for your symptoms.
What lifestyle changes can help aid regular acid reflux?
If you have occasional acid reflux, attempt these lifestyle changes to help your symptoms:
Lose excess weight
Eat smaller meals
Avoid eating two to three hours before bedtime
Elevate your head while sleeping
Avoid trigger foods, like fried or fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, and soda
Wear loose-fitting clothes
Avoid alcohol or tobacco.
If necessary, occasional acid reflux can be treated with over-the-counter medication, including:
Antacids, such as TUMS or Rolaids
H2-receptor blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB) or famotidine (Pepcid AC)
If you suspect that you have GERD, your symptoms worsen, or you have nausea or vomiting, talk to your doctor.
Will I need surgery to treat acid reflux disease?
If your chronic acid reflux isn’t relieved by medications and is severely impacting your quality of life, your doctor may recommend surgery.
There are two types of procedures used to alleviate GERD when daily medication has been ineffective.
LINX: This procedure involves surgically placing a ring called a LINX device around the outside of the esophagus where it connects with the stomach.
Fundoplication: This procedure creates an artificial valve using the top of your stomach and wraps the upper part of the stomach around the LES to strengthen it, prevent acid reflux, and repair hiatal hernias.
SCHEDULE YOUR GI APPOINTMENT TODAY!
Charleston GI offers board-certified gastroenterologists to diagnose and treat your GI issues. Plus, patients can easily schedule an appointment – no referral needed.
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace evaluation or care from a licensed healthcare provider. Screening recommendations and results vary by individual. Viewing this page does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Privacy practices comply with applicable laws.
