Acid Reflux Disease Symptoms
Reflux Disease is a common condition that goes by many names: GERD, acid reflux, heartburn or indigestion. More than one in five people in the U.S. experience the following symptoms:
- Heartburn
- Difficulty or pain with swallowing
- Chronic cough
- Asthma, Morning hoarseness or sore throat
- Voice changes
What Causes Acid Reflux?
We all have a natural, two-way valve between our stomach and esophagus. This keeps powerful stomach acid and digestive enzymes down in the stomach where they belong. In people with Reflux Disease, this valve has been stretched out or weakened and is no longer strong enough to do its job. This allows the powerful substances that help digest food and kill germs to move out of the stomach and into your esophagus. A little of this is normal or natural – the occasional belch or vomit when you are ill. Reflux Disease occurs when it happens too often, for too long, and at inappropriate times. It can cause some pretty bothersome symptoms and can also cause lasting damage to the esophagus.
Acid Reflux Treatment Options
Lifestyle modifications
Better at preventing reflux than treating it, these measures can help limit symptoms and make treatments more effective:
- Sleep on a wedge pillow to elevate your whole head and torso at night
- Eliminate or limit alcohol and caffeine intake, especially close to bedtime
- Lose weight if you are overweight
- Limit meal size and avoid eating late in the evening
Acid-reducing medication
Most effective at treating the symptom of heartburn, but not effective in treating regurgitation, asthma, or preventing esophageal cancer.
LINX procedure
The LINX procedure is a minimally invasive technique where a ring of calibrated magnets are placed around the lower esophagus, restoring the body’s reflux valve to its normal strength.
