What is Acid Reflux and What Causes it?

Acid reflux is a common disease that millions of people suffer from on a daily basis. Acid reflux is caused when the contents of the stomach, including the stomach acid, seep into the esophagus. When this happens, you will feel a burning sensation and may experience other symptoms.

Acid reflux is a very uncomfortable and sometimes painful condition. Avoiding it can be difficult and treating it can be a challenge. Understanding how it happens is the first step. Between the stomach and the esophagus is a valve called lower esophageal sphincter. When this valve becomes relaxed the stomach contents are able to flow into the esophagus. This is when many people start to notice acid reflux symptoms.

Acid reflux symptoms include pain and burning in the chest and middle abdomen, sour or bitter taste in mouth, feeling out throat closing and in some cases, regurgitation. Everyone experiences different symptoms and at a different level of severity. Acid reflux could also cause panic and anxiety. Treating and preventing the acid reflux will help the symptoms to disappear.

Antacids are a common form of acid reflux treatment. They are fast working and target the exact cause of the problem. However, they do not last very long and do not work for chronic acid reflux. H-2 receptor blockers are a stronger form of acid reflux treatment. They are available over-the-counter and stop the acid production in the stomach, therefore, helping reduce the symptoms. They work best if taken thirty minutes before eating. For people that suffer from chronic acid reflux, there are proton pump inhibitors. These are the strongest form of acid reflux treatment and are available by prescription. They also stop the acid from producing, but in addition to that they help heal any esophageal damage that has occurred due to recent acid reflux.