Acid reflux happens when contents from your stomach move back up into your esophagus. This action is also called acid regurgitation or gastroesophageal reflux.
If you have symptoms of acid reflux more than twice a week, you might have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
GERD symptoms
The main symptom of GERD is acid reflux. Acid reflux can cause an uncomfortable burning feeling in your chest, which can move up into your neck and throat. This feeling is often known as heartburn.
If you have acid reflux, you might develop a sour or bitter taste at the back of your mouth. It might also cause the regurgitation of food or liquid from your stomach into your mouth.
Some other symptoms of GERD include:
nausea- chest pain
- pain when swallowing
- difficulty swallowing
- chronic cough
- a hoarse voice
- bad breath
GERD treatment options
To manage and relieve symptoms of GERD, your doctor might encourage you to make certain lifestyle changes, like:
maintaining a moderate weight, if applicable.
quitting smoking, if you smoke.
avoiding big, heavy meals in the evening.
waiting a few hours after eating to lie down.
elevating your head during sleep (by raising the head of your bed 6-8 inches).
The problem with home remedies for GERD
Some individuals might prefer to start with home remedies to treat their heartburn. While certain home remedies may help a little when it comes to occasional bouts of acid reflux, if you’ve been diagnosed with GERD, you’re most likely dealing with a chronic issue.
Chronic health issues can sometimes be eased by lifestyle changes, but also typically need some kind of medical intervention. When it comes to chronic issues, it’s best to resist the desire to self-diagnose and self-medicate. Talk with your doctor before starting any new treatments.
A few home remedies floating around out there that may do more harm than good include:
Drinking a baking soda and water solution. Because baking soda is alkaline, it has the ability to help neutralize acidity, and is mostly safe to consume in small doses. But baking soda is high in sodium, and it’s also possible to experience side effects if you consume too much.
Chewing gum. The thought here is that because saliva is slightly alkaline, stimulating it by chewing gum after eating may help neutralize the acidity in your mouth and throat. While a very small study from 2005 did find some merit to this approach, the size of the study makes it difficult to draw any real conclusions.
Consuming ginger. Ginger is a common home remedy for issues like nausea and a sour stomach, but it’s still unclear if it can actually help with occasional heartburn symptoms. In fact, in many studiesTrusted Source, heartburn is a symptom of taking too much ginger.
Drinking milk. Due to its natural alkalinity, milk is another home remedy that’s often touted as a way to ease heartburn symptoms. Unfortunately, even though it may feel soothing initially, the fat and protein it contains can ultimately make heartburn symptoms worse once the milk is digested. Low fat milk may be easier for some people to tolerate.
Diagnosing GERD
If your doctor suspects you might have GERD, they’ll conduct a physical exam and ask about any symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
Your doctor may then recommend you to a gastroenterologist, or may conduct certain tests themselves, including:
Ambulatory 24-hour pH probe. A small tube is sent through the nose into the esophagus. A pH sensor at the tip of the tube measures how much acid exposure the esophagus is getting, and sends the data to a portable computer. An individual wears this tube for about 24 hours. This method is generally considered the “gold standard” for diagnosisng GERD.
Esophogram. After drinking a barium solution, X-ray imaging is used to examine your upper digestive tract.
Upper endoscopy. A flexible tube with a tiny camera is threaded into your esophagus to examine it and collect a sample of tissue (biopsy) if needed.
Esophageal manometry. A flexible tube is passed through the nose into your esophagus to measure the strength of your esophageal muscles.
Esophageal pH monitoring. A monitor is inserted into your esophagus to learn how acid is regulated in your body over a period of a few days.
After arriving at a diagnosis, your doctor will decide what interventions will work best for you, and if surgery is an option.
Surgery for GERD
In most cases, lifestyle changes and medications are enough to prevent and relieve symptoms of GERD. But sometimes, surgery is needed.
For example, your doctor might recommend surgery if lifestyle changes and medications alone haven’t stopped your symptoms. They might also suggest surgery if you’ve developed complications of GERD.
There are multiple types of surgery available to treat GERD, including fundoplication (during which the top of your stomach is sewn around your esophagus), and bariatric surgery (usually recommended when a doctor has concluded that your GERD may be exacerbated by too much excess weight).
GERD causes
While there’s no single cause of GERD, there is a mechanism in your body that — when not functioning properly — can increase the likelihood of it.
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a circular band of muscle at the end of your esophagus. When it’s working correctly, it relaxes and opens when you swallow. Then it tightens and closes again afterward.
Acid reflux happens when your LES doesn’t tighten or close properly. This allows digestive juices and other contents from your stomach to rise up into your esophagus.
Other possible causes include:
Hiatal hernia. This is when a part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm towards the chest area. If the diaphragm is compromised, it can increase the likelihood that your LES can’t do its job correctly.
Frequently eating large meals. This can cause the distension of the upper part of the stomach. This distension sometimes means there isn’t enough pressure on the LES, and it doesn’t close properly.
Lying down too soon after large meals. This can also create less pressure than the LES needs to function properly.
Risk factors for GERD
While again, there’s no one cause of GERD, there are lifestyle choices and certain health factors that can make a diagnosis more likely.
These include:
- living with a connective tissue disorder
- frequently eating large meals
- consistantly lying down or going to sleep shortly after eating
- eating a lot of certain types of foods, like deep fried or tomato products
- drinking certain types of beverages, like soda, coffee, or alcohol
- using an abundance of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like aspirin or ibuprofen
Alcohol and GERD
Alcohol consumption and GERD have been connected in many studies, and it seems like the more alcohol you drink, the higher the likelihood you might develop GERD.
While the connection is not crystal clear — does alcohol affect the LES directly, or do people who drink a lot of alcohol also have other behaviors that can lead to GERD? — what is clear is that limiting alcohol intake, or stopping it completely, after you’ve been diagnosed, may provide some symptom relief.
Dietary triggers for GERD
Some people who’ve been diagnosed with GERD find that certain foods and beverages can trigger their symptoms. While triggers can be very personal, there are a few foods that are routinely cited as more triggering than others. They include:
- high fat foods (like fried foods and fast foods)
- tomatos and tomato sauces
GERD in infants
It’s normal for babies to spit up food and vomit sometimes. But if your baby is spitting up food or vomiting frequently, they might have GERD.
Other potential signs and symptoms of GERD in infants include:
- irritability during or after feeding
- arching of their back during or after feeding
- weight loss or poor growth
- recurring cough or pneumonia
- If you suspect your baby might have GERD or another health condition, make an appointment with their doctor.
Potential complications of GERD
In most people, GERD doesn’t cause serious complications. But in rare cases, it can lead to serious or even life-threatening health problems.
Potential complications of GERD include:
esophagitis, an inflammation of your esophagus
esophageal stricture, which happens when your esophagus narrows or tightens
Barrett’s esophagus, involving permanent changes to the lining of your esophagus
esophageal cancer, which affects a small portion of people with Barrett’s esophagus
tooth enamel erosion, gum disease, or other dental problems
To lower your chances of complications, it’s important to take steps to manage and treat the symptoms of GERD.
Overview
If you experience heartburn, you know the feeling well: a slight hiccup, followed by a burning sensation in your chest and throat.
It may be triggered by the foods you eat, particularly spicy, fatty, or acidic foods.
Or perhaps you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition with many potential causes.
Whatever the cause, heartburn is uncomfortable and inconvenient. What can you do when heartburn strikes?
We’ll go over some quick tips to get rid of heartburn, including:
wearing loose clothing
drinking more milk
standing up straight
elevating your upper body
mixing baking soda with water
trying ginger
taking licorice supplements
sipping apple cider vinegar
chewing gum to help dilute acid
staying away from cigarette smoke
trying over-the-counter medications
The takeaway
When heartburn hits, many over-the-counter treatments, home remedies, and lifestyle adjustments may provide relief.
Adjusting your daily habits can also help prevent heartburn symptoms from developing in the first place.
For example, try to:
avoid common heartburn triggers, such as fatty and spicy foods
eat at least three hours before bedtime
avoid lying down after eating
maintain a healthy weight
If you experience heartburn more than two or three times a week, talk to your doctor. In some cases, they might prescribe medications or other treatments.
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