Acid reflux may not be as common as influenza, but to sufferers, this is more than just an inconvenient little situation. Often, people with acid reflux have to undergo chest pains, heart burns and even nausea. In extreme cases, this medical condition can lead to laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (gastric gas build-up in the throat) and even to esophageal cancer.

What is acid reflux?

Also known as GERD / GORD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, this medical condition is characterized by repetitive and painful symptoms, plus damage to the mucus lining of organs brought on by the abnormal reflux (accumulation or backing up) of gastric gas in the esophagus. You see, when our body breaks down food, gas usually builds up in the digestive system. Normally, this gas should then pass out of our system either through burping, or passing of gas through the rectal area.

Unfortunately, in the case of GERD, the gastric gas remains in the esophagus for long periods of time. This gas build-up causes permanent damage to the mucus lining in the esophageal area. The actual process is akin to acidic steam burning a hole into the roof of the esophagus.

What are the acid reflux symptoms?

Symptoms vary from one person to the other, dependent on both the age of the sufferer and his or her prior medical condition. However, here are the most telling signs of acid reflux.

For adults, heartburn or pyrosis is the most common symptom. The person usually experiences a painful burning sensation in the chest, esophagus, neck throat and even parts of the jaw. This condition very often leads to chronic coughing as well.

Other tell-tale symptoms include: chronic chest pains; chronic ear aches; difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia); hoarseness; nausea; repetitive bouts of coughing; and voice changes.

Children's conditions are more difficult to diagnose. However, some of these symptoms might exhibit themselves if the young ones do have GERD: bad breath; coughing; failure to gain weight; hosts of respiratory problems; inconsolable crying; repetitive vomiting, and even refusing food.

Is there acid reflux cure?

Fortunately enough, medical practitioners are saying "Yes," to this question. There are actually three ways to do so.

One: For mild to moderate cases, there is diet and life style modification. There are certain kinds of food to avoid (especially a couple of hours before bedtime) like: alcoholic drinks, broccolis, Brussels sprouts, carbonated soft drinks, cauliflowers, chocolates, coffee, foods high in fats, milk (and all milk-based products containing large volumes of calcium and fats,) onions, oranges, peppermints, spinach, and tomatoes.

Lifestyle modification means cutting down on (or better yet, eliminating altogether) smoking and reducing weight. Also, a person with GERD is recommended not to eat at least 2-3 hours before bedtime. Smaller meals are recommended as well.

GERD patients should really seek consultations with a doctor before taking any form of drugs. There is no single medication that can cure GERD. Usually, doctors prescribe a combination of drugs to ease the symptoms only. Some of these medications include: Gaviscon; famotidine or ranitidine; proton pump inhibitors; and sucralfate or carafate. Antacids should only be taken when the doctor prescribes it, and only in very limited amounts. Excessive intake of Vitamin C is also not encouraged.

Two: There is also positional therapy where people with GERD are recommended to sleep on their left sides. Evidently, this drastically reduces bouts of night time reflux episodes in most people. An acid reflux pillow can also help, since there are evidences that elevating the head of the bed while sleeping can reduce gastric build-up. Also, it seems that constant slouching can cause gastric build-up.

Three: Surgical treatments should be the last option. Some of these procedures include: Endocinch, NDO Surgical Plicator and Stretta Procedure through endoscopy; Enteryx through endoscopic injections; and Nissen fundoplication through laparosscopically.

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