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Acid reflux is a long lasting condition with regular relapses in a lot of patients. The problem resulting in acid reflux is directly related to the lower LES. When the lower esophageal sphincter becomes incompetent, no drug treatment will correct it. Acid reflux treatment is to reduce the acid level in the stomach regurgitating back up into the esophagus. This means that the reflux will continue but the refluxate, being less acidic, is unlikely to injure the esophagus. The lining of the esophagus does not cope with high acid levels as well as the gastric lining. Persistent high acid levels in the esophagus will result in symptoms and complication such as strictures, bleeding and Barrett’s esophagus. In some acid reflux patients, the problems can get progressively worse. The commonest symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. Do not worry unnecessarily if you have heartburn. Most of us have heartburn at some time or other especially when we over indulge. Usually a single dose of antacid settles the problem. However, if the heartburn symptoms return after treatment and become recurrent then the lower esophageal sphincter may be faulty and opens when it should not. Heartburn is present in up to 20% of the general public and of these up to 10% have erosion of the esophagus. There may be factors that influence the efficiency of the LES and by eliminating them you may well control your acid reflux. On the other hand if it is true lower esophageal sphincter incompetence, then you will need specific acid reflux treatment by your doctor or surgery. In addition to heartburn, acid reflux can produce other types of chest pains. This may cause worry to sufferers because there is a real concern that it could be a heart attack and quite a few of these patients end up in the Emergency Room of hospitals. Other symptoms of acid Reflux are dysphagia, persistent cough, acidic taste in the mouth, burning feeling in the throat, uncomfortable feeling in the upper abdomen and chest. In a few sufferers of acid reflux there are the symptoms such as disease of the gums, persistent clearing of the throat, hoarseness of the voice,chronic sinusitis andhalitosis. In addition if acid reflux reaches as far as the throat and mouth, then dental damage can occur in addition to gum disease. The enamel of teeth can be worn down and cavities can develop. From the list above you can see that acid reflux can be a serious problem if not treated adequately. If the acid reflux treatment you are using at home is not working and you think you have gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), see your doctor.
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Dr. Phil Hariram has treated Acid Reflux for 27 years. His website: www.acidrefluxwise.com has cutting edge info. on acid reflux and the regularly refreshed news on acid reflux and heartburn.
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