What Is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is the term used when the acid in your stomach backs up or 'refluxes' into the esophagus where it doesn't belong.
The most common symptom of acid reflux is heartburn - the burning sensation you feel in your chest caused by stomach acid flowing back up into your esophagus from your stomach. But you don't always feel heartburn when you're suffering from acid reflux. Another common acid reflux symptom is the feeling of acid backing up into your throat causing a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. You may also experience a ‘wet burp’ or even throw up.
What Causes Acid Reflux?
Many things can weaken the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). Below are some of the most common factors that can cause acid reflux:
- Being overweight
- Your diet: foods to avoid include spicy, fried, fatty, rich foods, acidic foods including citrus fruits and tomatoes
- Drinks such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, tea, and coffee
- Overeating or eating past the point of being full
- Lying down, high-intensity exercise, or bending over after eating
- Smoking
What Is GERD?
Heartburn 2 or more days a week.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD is chronic or recurring acid reflux. Reflux by itself isn't unusual. GERD, on the other hand, develops when acid reflux happens two or more days a week and produces troublesome symptoms. Some of these symptoms are: regurgitation of food or sour liquid, difficulty swallowing, coughing, wheezing, and chest pain – especially while lying down at night. If left untreated GERD may lead to some serious health problems. Only your doctor can tell you if you have GERD.
What causes GERD?
GERD is when you suffer from repeated acid reflux. This causes your esophagus to become irritated, needing a break from the reflux to fully heal. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best acid reflux treatment for you – usually a combination of medication and lifestyle modifications.
How serious is GERD?
When your esophagus or throat are regularly exposed to stomach acid for a prolonged period of time it can cause pain, inflammation of the esophagus, and tissue abnormalities. This could affect your quality of life, ability to swallow, breathe, and even speak. Unmanaged, this damage could increase your risk of developing certain types of cancers.
Get Relief From Acid Reflux & GERD
A big part of acid reflux treatment is avoiding the triggers that cause your Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to work improperly. This prevents acid reflux and helps your esophagus heal. There are also medications, like TUMS, that relieve heartburn symptoms temporarily so you can get back to living life without discomfort.
Ways to get acid reflux relief include:
- Antacids: antacid medicine help relieve the pain of heartburn when it strikes. Antacids neutralize stomach acid in your stomach to soothe the unpleasant burning sensation of acid reflux.
- Other medications: if you suffer from frequent heartburn acid reflux or GERD, you may need stronger medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium 24HR or H2 blockers, both of which reduce the amount of gastric acid your stomach produces.
- Diet alterations: suffering from acid reflux means your diet will probably need to change. Things that many of us eat and drink every day can cause or exacerbate acid reflux, such as tomatoes, lemons, orange juice, fizzy pop, coffee, wine, chocolate, and alcohol. Avoiding these reflux-triggering foods helps prevent the discomfort of heartburn.
- Lifestyle changes: besides rethinking your diet, being willing to change things about your lifestyle long-term can also make a big difference to the frequency and severity of your acid reflux. If you smoke, seriously consider quitting for good. If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about ways you can lose weight without aggravating your reflux. You may even have to change your sleeping arrangements, such as raising the head of your bed and imposing a rule to not eat or drink at least 3 hours before bedtime.
Whichever treatments sound best for you, rest assured that acid reflux is treatable. Take our advice and make some changes to find relief from heartburn.
Talk to a healthcare professional if:
- You experience heartburn or acid reflux more than two or more days a week
- You still suffer from heartburn even after taking over-the-counter or prescription heartburn medications
- Your heartburn symptoms become more severe over time
- Your heartburn symptoms start lasting longer or become more frequent
- You experience severe hoarseness or wheezing
- Swallowing food or pills becomes difficult or painful
TUMS antacid tablets are intended for the relief of occasional heartburn. If you find your heartburn is getting worse or more frequent, be sure to speak to your doctor.
Always read and follow the label and use as directed. TUMS is for the relief of heartburn. This site is not intended to diagnose your medical conditions. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you have any questions.
