acid Reflux and GERD
Acid reflux disease occurs when the acid that is normally found in your stomach backs up into the esophagus. When bile or stomach acid flows into the esophagus, it irritates the lining and causes heartburn, or acid reflux. This disease affects many people. If your symptoms are occurring more than twice a week, you should take the time to see your doctor because untreated acid reflux can cause significant damage to the esophageal lining and also to the stomach.
There are lots of things you can do if you have symptoms of acid reflux. One possibility is to try changing your diet. It is important to avoid spicy foods or those that cause gas in the digestive system. Greasy or high-fat foods should also be avoided. Eating just before you go to bed is another no-no: digestion slows when you are asleep, which means that the food is just sitting in your stomach and causing it to produce more acid. Of course, if none of these suggestions help, your doctor can always prescribe medications that can help prevent acid reflux and also may help heal any damage that has been done to the esophagus or the stomach area.
Acid reflux can also occur in infants and goes hand-in-hand with colic. Acid reflux in infants is a serious problem — your baby may not be able to keep his or her food down and may be very fussy. If you suspect that your child may have acid reflux, it is important to alert your pediatrician immediately. The doctor will be able to diagnose the problem accurately, usually based on the symptoms you observe, and will have recommendations to bring relief to your baby.
The following pages will describe more about acid reflux disease. The pages will cover symptoms, causes, medication, as well as diagnosis and treatment.