Acid Reflux

FAQs

What is acid reflux and heartburn?

Acid reflux is a common condition, where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus (gullet). This causes a burning sensation in the upper abdomen.

It usually occurs as a result of the ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus becoming weakened.

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

Common symptoms include an uncomfortable, ‘burning’ sensation that can feel like it’s travelling up the abdomen and an unpleasant taste in the back of the mouth.

Less common symptoms caused by acid reflux are nausea, a persistent cough, wheezing, chest pain, tooth decay, and laryngitis.

Why does pregnancy cause acid reflux and heartburn?

Pregnancy hormones can make the valve at the entrance to the stomach relax so that it doesn’t close properly. This allows acidic stomach contents to move back up into the oesophagus. The symptoms often get worse in later stage pregnancy when the growing uterus presses against the stomach.

What should you do and not do if you have acid reflux?

Heartburn can be uncomfortable and difficult to live with day-to-day. Simple lifestyle changes can help to stop or reduce heartburn: 

Do: eat smaller, more frequent meals
Do: raise the head end of your bed by 10-20cm
Do: try to lose weight if you're overweight
Do: try to find ways to relax

Do not: consume food or drink that triggers your symptoms
Do not: eat within 3-4 hours before bed
Do not: wear clothes that are tight around your waist
Do not: smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol
Do not: stop taking prescribed medicines without consulting your GP first

What foods should a person avoid if they experience acid reflux?

There are foods known to be heartburn triggers by causing the oesophageal sphincter to relax and delay the digestive process, resulting in acid reflux.

If you’re experiencing regular bouts of acid reflux, there are foods to consider removing from your diet:

Fried foods
Fast foods
Pizza
Crisps and other highly processed snacks
Chilli powders and peppers (white, black, cayenne)
High fat meats such as bacon and sausage
Cheese

Other foods that can cause issues are:

Tomato-based sauces
Citrus fruits
Chocolate
Peppermint
Carbonated beverages

What treatments are recommended for acid reflux?

Many over-the-counter antacid remedies can help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. These work by neutralising the effects of the stomach acid.

Alginate preparations, such as Gaviscon work differently; they provide a protective coating that shields the lining of the stomach and oesophagus from the effects of stomach acid.

When over-the-counter treatments don’t alleviate symptoms, medications called proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are widely prescribed as they are well tolerated by the majority of patients and rarely produce side effects. PPIs work by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

How does acid reflux affect the body?

The severity of acid reflux symptoms can vary depending on the person, however, there are some shared signs. Similar symptoms include a burning feeling behind the upper chest, pain after eating or lying down and a sore throat.

Acid reflux can cause stomach acid to rise up into the mouth which can lead to bad breath, discolouration of the tongue and tooth decay. If the condition doesn’t improve after a course of medication - or a period of a few months - then the symptoms could be a result of stomach ulcers, issues within the oesophagus or GORD.

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