Reflux means that stomach acid and juices move back up into your esophagus, the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach. This can cause heartburn, ulcers, and pain and swelling in your esophagus (esophagitis). When you have heartburn that bothers you often, it's called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
You can treat GERD with lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and making changes in your diet to avoid foods that make your heartburn worse. You can also change your eating habits, such as not eating late at night. Doctor may also suggest medicines.
The main symptoms of GERD are:
Other symptoms may include:
GERD happens because of a problem with the ring of muscle at the end of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter. It acts like a one-way valve between the esophagus and the stomach. When you swallow, the valve lets food pass into the stomach. With GERD, the valve doesn't close tightly enough. Stomach acid and juices flow back up (reflux) into the esophagus.
GERD usually happens when the valve relaxes at the wrong time and stays open too long. Some things may relax the valve so it doesn't close tightly or some foods and drinks can make GERD worse. These may include chocolate, mint, alcohol, pepper, spicy foods, high-fat foods, or drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee, colas, or energy drinks. If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating it to see if your symptoms get better.
Other things can make stomach juices back up, such as:
You may be able to prevent GERD with lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy foods, not smoking, and staying at a weight that is healthy for you. Talk to your doctor if you need help losing weight.
Some medicines may cause GERD as a side effect. If any medicines you take seem to be the cause of your heartburn, talk with your doctor. Don't stop taking a prescription medicine until you talk with your doctor.
To find out if you have GERD, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your health. Doctor may ask about your symptoms, such as whether you often have heartburn or regurgitation. If you do have heartburn or regurgitation often, doctor may suggest a medicine that reduces or blocks stomach acid.
If your heartburn or regurgitation goes away after you take the medicine, you may not need any tests.
If you have tests, they may include:
Treatment aims to reduce reflux, prevent damage to your esophagus, and prevent problems caused by GERD.
For mild symptoms, try over-the-counter medicines such as:
Lifestyle changes can help. You can: