Severe Acid Reflux

The digestive system of the humans consists of mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus. The food that we eat, enters the stomach after opening of a spincter, which is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This ring-like muscle serve as a valve at the entrance of the stomach and regulates the entry of food in the stomach.

In normal conditions, this valves closes, the moment food passes through it. However, there might be some factors which may cause this valve to open too often or remain open all the way. When this occurs, acid from the stomach flow back into the esophagus and this gives rise to burning pain in the chest or discomfort, which is known as a heart burn.

Such a malfunction of the LES, if occurs more than twice a week, then the person is known to be affected by acid reflux. It is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Severe acid reflux is associated with serious conditions, such as esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), Barrett's esophagus, strictures (abnormal narrowing of a bodily canal or passageway), and esophageal cancer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease leads to the development of various conditions in the body like heartburn. It is, as mentioned, a burning sensation that radiates from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, or even up into the throat. The affected person may experience regurgitation, as the acid may flow back to the throat or mouth.

This produces a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. In some cases, the person may even vomit some content of the stomach. In severe cases of acid reflux, dysphagia, a condition in which swallowing is difficult or painful may also develop.

Other symptoms which are also indicative of the condition are:

• Bloating
• Burping or wet-burps
• Blood in stools or black stools
• Persisting hiccups
• Nausea
• Abnormal weight loss
• Dry cough
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat
• Wheezing

Causal factors are those which trigger the malfunctioning of the LES. These include conditions such as obesity, pregnancy, hiatus hernia (hiatal hernia) [hernia resulting from the protrusion of part of the stomach through the diaphragm], peptic ulcers, insufficient digestive enzymes, and asthma.

Having large meals just before bedtime or lying on the back or bending forward after having food, may also triggers this condition. Apart from alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, and tea, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, and spicy or fatty foods also contribute to acid reflux.

Excessive smoking or using certain medications may have this condition as one of its side effects.

Avoiding the triggers of the condition, is known to be the best treatment. Avoid taking large meals at a time. It is advisable to go for many smaller meals. If the acid reflux is caused by an underlying medical condition, then the latter is treated so that the former improves on its own.

Certain foods which should be avoided include alcohol, black pepper, chili and chili powder, citrus fruit, pineapple, coffee, garlic, spicy food, tea, tomatoes, tomato sauce or tomato juice, ketchup, vinegar, beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, fizzy drinks (sodas), etc.

These foods have been found to be the common triggers of this condition. However, they may differ with some patients, as different people react differently to the same types of foods. However, following a proper diet also proves helpful.

Your doctor may prescribe you proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers to reduce the production of acid, or he may also prescribe prokinetics, which strengthen the LES, and thus prevents this acid reflux. Surgery may be required if the aforementioned treatment options are not helpful.

Surgery involves creation of an artificial valve which prevents the reflux of acid into the esophagus.

Surgery is the last resort, and is performed if none of the aforementioned treatment options show the desired results.