Acid reflux, another name for heartburn, is characterized by burning discomfort that can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours and is most commonly reported in the chest region. The tube, the esophagus, is responsible for transporting food and fluids from the mouth to the stomach. The illness is characterized by the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, which can be uncomfortable.
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a circular muscle that connects the esophagus and stomach.
This condition arises when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes too frequently or functions poorly. This allows stomach contents to wash up into the esophagus, which can lead to various adverse health consequences. Extensive exposure to stomach acids can cause precancerous abnormalities or even more advanced esophageal cancer, which can damage the lining of the esophagus over time.
Antibiotics available without a prescription or harsher medications requiring a prescription, such as proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers, are often effective therapies for those who experience heartburn on a sporadic or infrequent basis. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which include omeprazole (Prilosec) and pantoprazole (Protonix), are medications that reduce the amount of acid that is produced by the stomach.
Although less powerful medications, such as antacids, can reduce the amount of acid that can enter the esophagus, it is essential to note that these medications do not treat the underlying problem that is causing the acid to flow into the esophagus in the first place.
If you experience severe or regular heartburn, it is recommended that you make an appointment with your physician to have your heartburn assessed and discuss the many treatment options available to you. During your appointment, your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and the frequency with which they occur. In addition, your doctor will perform tests to analyze your esophagus and quantify the quantity of acid in your body.
Depending on the severity of your heartburn, your doctor may suggest that you adjust your diet and lifestyle to prevent or ease the symptoms.
Depending on the severity of your heartburn, your doctor may suggest that you adjust your diet and lifestyle to prevent or ease the symptoms. In addition, you should avoid going to bed with a full stomach (you should wait three to five hours between your last meal and lying down), consume smaller meals, and steer clear of foods that cause heartburn.
You should avoid lying down or leaning over quickly after eating. This is because you could throw up. These two motions can induce the stomach to produce excessive acid within the body. If you want to lose weight, you should also make an effort to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or carbonated beverages. This is especially important if you want to lose weight.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are prescription and over-the-counter drugs commonly used to treat heartburn. However, both treatments can make the condition even more severe. Therefore, you should either avoid them altogether or take them with food to lessen the irritation they cause.
Additional medications that have the potential to irritate the esophagus include narcotic pain medicines such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac). These medications are examples of drugs that have the potential to irritate the esophagus.
If the changes you make to your diet and lifestyle do not help manage your heartburn, your physician may recommend a procedure to alleviate acid reflux. Acid reflux can come from several different sources. To remove acid reflux and prevent long-term damage to the esophagus, esophageal doctors at UCI Health can deliver operations that either do not require incisions or are minimally invasive.
