For the majority of people, acid reflux causes short-term
temporary symptoms such as a burning pain in the upper part of the chest and
throat (heartburn), or a bitter acidic taste in the mouth due to minor
regurgitation of gastric acids from the stomach into the throat or mouth. For
most people symptoms of acid reflux are generally more severe at night than
during the day.
When heartburn and other symptoms are persistent, the
condition is labeled as chronic. Chronic acid reflux affects approximately 20%
of the population in the United States. If it is not controlled by medication
or changes to diet and lifestyle, it may become more than a minor irritation.
Gastric acids may corrode the lining of the esophagus leading to severe damage
and possibly a disease called Barrett's esophagus.
Barrett’s esophagus, although rare, may lead to the
formation of abnormal or pre-cancerous cells in the tissue lining the
esophagus. Often, Barrett’s esophagus has no symptoms and can only be diagnosed
by a physician. If the condition is not taken care of, it may eventually lead
to cancer of the esophagus, which is a hard to treat and often, fatal cancer.
What Can You Do?
For occasional bouts of acid reflux, for example during
pregnancy or after a heavy meal, antacids such as Rolaids are fairly effective
at neutralizing stomach acids. For people who are affected by acid reflux more
frequently, stronger over the counter medications such as Zantac and Tagamet alleviate symptoms of acid reflux by inhibiting the secretion
of stomach acids.
If the symptoms of acid reflux affect you on a regular
basis, and your doctor has ruled out any serious medical conditions, there are
a couple of options available that can help you control the disease. The first is that your
doctor can prescribe medications. However, if you prefer not to
take medications, another option is to manage the symptoms of acid
reflux through a combination of diet and other non-invasive measures. This is
supported by studies that indicate that nearly half of those suffering from
acid reflux can be helped through dietary and lifestyle changes alone.