A sudden discomfort in the chest after eating or persistent regurgitation or burping can be a sign of acidity. Although it is harmless most of the time and can be eased with home remedies, untreated acid reflux can become chronic and give rise to several other complications. But how do you know if your acid reflux has become serious? Speaking with the Only My Health team, Dr Vivek Shetty, Consultant-Gastrointestinal, Liver and Pancreatic Surgeon, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, discusses what acid reflux is and what are the signs of severity.
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What Is Acid Reflux?
“Acid reflux is a condition that occurs due to stomach acids flowing back up into the oesophagus (food pipe), a tube that takes food from your mouth to your stomach," said Dr Shetty. Explaining further, he said, “There is a ring of muscle, called a sphincter, at the end of the oesophagus that normally keeps acid from splashing up. If it relaxes at the wrong time, acid can flow back up and irritate the oesophagus, which doesn’t have the same protective lining that the stomach does.”
According to the data published in the Annals of Medicine, 78.3 crore cases of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) were reported globally in 2019. In India alone, the prevalence of GERD ranges from 7.6% to 30%, being < 10% in most population studies, and higher in cohort studies, states a study published in the Indian Journal of Gastroenterology.
Symptoms Of Acid Reflux
Some of the common symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Dry cough
- Hoarseness or sore throat
- Nausea or vomiting
When Does Acid Reflux Become Serious?
Dr Shetty said, “Prolonged acid reflux can cause narrowing of the food pipe and also increase the risk of developing oesophagealcancer. Worrisome symptoms of reflux disease are pain or difficulty while swallowing, having an unexplained cough or breathlessness, and unexplained weight loss.”
According to the doctor, occasional reflux is common. However, if the reflux occurs several times a week and disturbs sleep and persists for several more weeks, it should be taken seriously. “A variety of Over-The-Counter (OTC) and prescription medicines can help reduce acid production, and antacids can neutralise acid if you have breakthrough heartburn. However, if you are experiencing heartburn more than once a week and it affects your quality of life, or if the reflux is present even during the day, it is advisable to seek medical help,” he added.
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Treatment Options
Your doctor may advise an endoscopy to assess the severity of reflux disease and to look for complications. In addition, here are some of the treatment methods for acid reflux:
Lifestyle changes
Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption, and small frequent meals. Reduce the amount of spicy and oily food in your diet, and maintain a healthy weight. Have an early dinner, 3 hours before sleeping.
Medical management
Acid-suppressing medications and OTC antacids can reduce the acid output and can reduce the symptoms but do not prevent reflux, said Dr Shetty. Some acid-reducing drugs are combined with medicines that empty the stomach rapidly and prevent contents from backing up into the food pipe. Sometimes these medicines may need to be taken lifelong, he added.
Surgical
Despite medications, if you still suffer from persistent reflux, surgery is the most effective treatment. According to the doctor, young patients may prefer one-time surgery over life-long medications. He highlights that surgery is safe and can be done with minimal pain and scarring, and has an efficacy of nearly 95%.
Conclusion
Acid reflux is a common condition characterised by the backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus. It can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms and can persist for a long time. Hence, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation and appropriate treatment to manage and alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux.