What is acid reflux? Acid reflux: symptoms, treatment

Today, many people are interested in the question of what is acid reflux. Unfortunately, this disorder is considered quite common. So why does it arise? What symptoms are accompanied? What are the effective methods of treatment?

What is acid reflux?

Severe heartburn, chest pain - with these complaints to the doctor drawn a lot of patients. And after examination and diagnosis, many patients have additional questions about what is acid reflux.

It's not a secret that the presence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach creates an acidic environment there. Gastric juice for the esophagus is aggressive. Therefore, normally these two departments are delimited by the lower esophageal sphincter, which ensures unidirectional advancement of the food masses.

In some cases there is a violation of the normal tone of the sphincter. As a result, it is possible to reverse the food from the stomach into the esophagus. This is how the condition known in medicine called esophageal-gastric reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease develops.

The main causes of the violation

In most cases, the causes of such a violation are abnormal changes in the stomach and esophagus. In addition, the same symptoms are accompanied by a hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm. In some cases, the back-casting of gastric contents into the lumen of the esophagus is associated with neurological diseases.

On the other hand, it is possible to identify some risk factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of developing acid reflux. First and foremost, the list of possible causes should include an incorrect diet. For example, quite often reflux is associated with a constant overeating, which causes hyperextension of the walls of the stomach. Negative in the work of the digestive system is the abundant use of food at night, the habit of lying down after eating, as well as the abuse of foods such as tomatoes, garlic, chocolate, citrus, onions, sharp, fatty and fried foods. Naturally, the risk factors include obesity.

Statistics show that today many pregnant women are interested in the question of what is acid reflux. After all, a growing fetus causes displacement of internal organs, which often leads to a reverse casting of food. The risk factor is also smoking and alcohol abuse. In some cases, reflux develops with the intake of muscle relaxants, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Acid reflux: symptoms

Certainly, gastric juice acts extremely aggressively on the walls of the esophagus, damaging them, which leads to the appearance of unpleasant sensations. The main symptoms of reflux include persistent heartburn, as well as a feeling of acid or bitterness in the mouth. Many patients also complain of a feeling of heat and discomfort along the esophagus. Patients often have attacks of nausea and hiccups.

Because of power problems, a sharp weight loss is possible. The normal process of swallowing liquid and solid food is disrupted. Often patients notice bloating and an unpleasant burp. The presence of melena or black stool indicates bleeding from the walls of the esophagus. Because of constant heartburn, chronic pain in the throat develops. The signs of reflux also include dry cough and shortness of breath.

Modern diagnostic methods

Certainly, at the slightest deterioration of well-being it is worth to turn to a specialist. Only a doctor can diagnose "acid reflux". Symptoms and complaints of the patient should lead to the idea of the presence of such a violation, but in the future, an accurate diagnosis is needed that will help to determine the severity of the disease, the cause of its development and the extent of damage to the digestive tract.

In particular, endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach is carried out in the first place. During the study, you can see the presence of inflammation and erosive areas in the lower part of the esophagus. Later, his manometry is carried out, which makes it possible to evaluate the contractility of its wall. It is also important to determine the acidity of gastric juice. X-ray examination using a contrast medium (barium suspension) makes it possible to assess the condition of the esophagus walls. In some cases, the patient is additionally assigned a biopsy. Such a study helps to assess the extent of the lesion, determine the presence of infection of damaged areas, and also to calculate the risk of malignant tissue degeneration.

What methods of treatment are used?

Of course, only a doctor can diagnose acid reflux. Treatment in this case is selected individually depending on the causes and severity of the patient's condition, as well as the degree of damage to the walls of the esophagus.

First of all, the doctor will prescribe drugs that neutralize the effect of hydrochloric acid. In particular, patients take antacid medications for heartburn ("Alugastrin", "Gasterin", "Rennie" "Tams"), which help to remove the main symptoms. In addition, the treatment uses antagonists of histamine receptors, which block the processes of releasing hydrochloric acid by the cells of the stomach. In particular, the drugs "Ranitidine", "Cimetidine", "Lafutidine" and some others are considered quite effective. Sometimes patients are recommended to take medications that normalize the digestive tract motility, for example, Motilium, Motilac, Cerucal and some others.

Supplement to the drugs is proper nutrition. Unfortunately, not always by means of medicines and a diet it is possible to eliminate acid reflux. Treatment in especially severe cases is performed surgically. For example, some patients are shown fundoplication - plastic correction of the entrance of the stomach. If there is a hernia of the diaphragm, an osmotic closure is performed.

Proper nutrition with reflux

Of course, a diet with reflux is extremely important, since it helps to remove the main symptoms and normalize the digestive system. First of all, patients are recommended to eat more often, but in small portions. The last meal should be no later than three hours before bedtime.

From the diet it is necessary to exclude coffee, chocolate, spices, spicy, fried and fatty foods, as well as overly acidic foods. At the work of the stomach, apricots, peaches and pumpkin will have a positive effect, which have natural antacid properties. Honey, baked tomatoes and bananas reduce the acidity of gastric juice. The menu should include cereals, in particular rice, oats, millet. It is better to give preference to low-fat varieties of meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit) and fish. By the way, it is desirable to cook them for a couple or in the oven.