What is Acid Reflux Disease?
Acid reflux disease or GERD is a condition where stomach acid rises into the esophagus.
This condition, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, can cause pain in the pit of the stomach, heartburn, and various other symptoms in the lower chest and stomach area.
People with this condition typically experience mild acid reflux at least twice a week, and severe acid reflux at least once a week.
Therefore, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) need to know how to reduce symptoms, for example by changing their lifestyle and taking medication.
Symptoms of Gastric Acid Disease
Symptoms of acid reflux disease generally cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest.
In fact, the burning sensation can spread to the neck. This condition can be worse when lying down or bending over.
When the disease recurs, the symptoms felt can last for several hours and feel worse after eating.
Symptoms of GERD / Acid Reflux
When stomach acid (GERD) recurs or rises, this condition can be marked by several symptoms, namely:
- Heartburn. This condition usually occurs after consuming foods or drinks that contain high levels of caffeine.
- Easily full. This condition can occur if there is a disturbance in the movement of the stomach to push food into the intestines. As a result, the food that acid reflux sufferers consume accumulates in the stomach.
- More frequent burping. Acid reflux can increase the body’s reflex to swallow air. Air that enters the digestive tract contains nitrogen and oxygen gas. This gas will then be pushed up by the stomach to the esophagus and out of the mouth in the form of a burp.
- Sore throat. GERD triggers a sore throat due to inflammation and irritation of the esophagus.
- Nausea and vomiting. A sour feeling along with frequent burping and coughing due to acid reflux can cause nausea and even vomiting.
- Bad breath. Regurgitation of the stomach can cause heartburn and a bitter or sour taste in the mouth, leading to bad breath.
- Cough without phlegm. This symptom can occur if acid reflux disease or acid reflux is chronic or prolonged.
Symptoms of Gastric Acid Disease in Babies and Children
Infants and children may experience similar symptoms of acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as:
- Frequent small vomit.
- Excessive crying, not wanting to eat (in babies).
- Difficulty breathing.
- Hoarse throat.
- Choking while sleeping can wake the child.
- Bad breath.
- Difficulty sleeping after eating, especially in infants.
Generally, mild acid reflux disease will only occur once or twice a month and does not require special medical treatment.
Risk Factors for Gastric Acid Disease
GERD is a stomach acid disease that can affect people of all ages. Generally, the risk of this condition can increase due to lifestyle factors, but it can also be due to several other causes.
Some factors that can increase the risk of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease are:
- Being overweight or obese.
- Being pregnant, because there is too much pressure on the stomach.
- Frequent smoking or inhaling cigarette smoke.
- Having a connective tissue disorder such as scleroderma.
- Hiatal hernia (a protrusion of part of the stomach that passes through the diaphragm and can block food from entering the stomach)
- Experiencing gastroparesis, which is a condition where the stomach wall muscles weaken so that stomach emptying slows down.
- Having scleroderma, a disease that attacks connective tissue.
- The habit of consuming certain types of food, for example, milk, spicy food or fried food (oily food).
Meanwhile, some drugs can also trigger GERD symptoms, including:
- Benzodiazepines or certain types of sedatives.
- Types of calcium inhibitor drugs or calcium inhibitors as drugs to treat high blood pressure.
- Some asthma medications.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Antidepressant drugs.
Acid reflux disease can also affect babies. Generally, this condition occurs because the LES ( lower esophageal sphincter ) muscle is still in the growth stage.
Causes of Gastric Acid Disease
When swallowing, a circular band of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, also known as the lower esophageal sphincter, relaxes. This allows food and fluid to flow into the stomach, after which the sphincter closes again.
When this part relaxes due to irritation or weakening, stomach acid can flow back into the esophagus causing irritation and inflammation.
One of the most common causes of acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a hiatal hernia. This problem occurs when the upper part of the stomach and sphincter move above the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the stomach from the chest.
Normally, the diaphragm helps to keep acid in the stomach. But because of this disruption, acid can rise into the esophagus and cause these GERD symptoms.
Diagnosis of Gastric Acid Disease
To diagnose acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease, there are several steps that the doctor will take.
Symptoms of acid reflux or acid reflux are considered a disease if the symptoms appear at least twice in a week.
After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination and several other diagnostic steps. Further examinations that can be performed include:
1. Electrocardiogram (ECG) .
This examination aims to see if there is coronary heart disease or a heart attack. Both of these diseases cause symptoms similar to GERD, namely chest pain.
2. Gastroscopy
This examination uses a special tool, such as a tube with a camera, to detect inflammation of the esophagus or throat (esophagitis) due to rising stomach acid.
3. Esophageal Manometry
You can do this test to check the rhythm of muscle movements when the sufferer is swallowing and to measure the strength of the esophageal muscles.
4. X-ray of the upper digestive tract
This examination aims to see the upper digestive tract cavity and its lining. If there is inflammation or narrowing of the esophagus, the results will be visible in the examination results.
5. Measuring the Acidity Level (pH) of the Esophagus
This test can be done by a doctor by inserting a tube or catheter into the esophagus. This tube is connected to a computer to measure the acidity level of the esophagus while the sufferer is doing daily activities.
Treatment for Gastric Acid Disease
Until now, experts do not know how to cure GERD completely. However, sufferers can control the disease through proper treatment.
Treatment for GERD will focus on managing or eliminating symptoms that can recur at any time.
There are various treatment options for GERD or stomach acid, such as self-treatment through lifestyle changes and using special medications for stomach acid disease.
Here is the explanation:
1. Independent Handling
To manage and relieve GERD symptoms, doctors may recommend that sufferers make certain lifestyle changes, such as:
- Maintain an ideal weight.
- If a GERD sufferer is a smoker, it is important to stop smoking.
- Avoid large and heavy meals at night.
- Wait a few hours after eating to lie down.
- Elevate your head when sleeping, using a higher pillow.
- Avoid certain types of foods such as fatty, spicy, or highly acidic foods.
- Eat small portions, but often.
In addition, you should also know how to have a healthy diet for GERD sufferers.
2. Consumption of Drugs
If lifestyle changes don’t work within a few weeks, your doctor may recommend certain medications.
However, all drugs that can be an option have the potential to cause side effects.
Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about which option is best. Here are some of these medications:
- Antacids. Doctors may recommend these medications to treat mild GERD symptoms. However, if a person with GERD is taking antacids almost every day, they may need a stronger medication.
- H2 Receptor Blockers. H2 blockers such as Pepcid AC work to decrease the amount of acid your stomach produces.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs such as Prilosec also decrease the amount of acid your stomach produces. They tend to work better than H2 blockers.
Recommended Stomach Acid Medication
Here are some medicines that you can use to treat acid reflux disease:
- Polysilane Suspension 100 ml. This medicine contains dimethylpolysiloxane, aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide in syrup form. Polysilane suspension can be consumed by adults and also children aged 6 to 12 years.
- Disflatyl 40 mg 10 Tablets. This medicine contains Simethicone which can relieve bloating and discomfort in the stomach due to excessive gas.
- Promag Double Action 6 Chewable Tablets. Contains antacids that can neutralize stomach acid.
- Sanmag Suspension 120 ml . This medicine contains Magnesium trisilicate, Aluminum hydroxide, and Simethicone in syrup form to relieve stomach acid.
- Xepazym 6 Caplets. This caplet-shaped medicine contains Pancreatin and Simethicone. Xepazym Caplets are useful for complementing therapy for stomach disorders due to increased stomach acid.
- Farmacrol Forte 10 Tablets. This medicine is in the form of chewable tablets which are useful for treating digestive problems.
- Mylanta Syrup 50 ml. This medicine is a syrup medicine containing dry Aluminum hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone. Mylanta Syrup is useful for reducing symptoms associated with excess stomach acid.
3. Operating Procedure
If GERD occurs continuously in severe intensity, medical surgical procedures may be considered to treat GERD.
During treatment, people with Gastro gastroesophageal reflux Disease (GERD) also need to avoid all risk factors and triggers for recurrence.
Sufferers can do this by adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking medication according to the doctor’s recommendations.
Prevention of Gastric Acid Disease
One of the most effective ways to treat GERD is to avoid foods and drinks that can trigger symptoms.
Some other methods that you can do as prevention include:
- Eat smaller portions, but more often, and change the types of foods you consume.
- Quit smoking. If you are confused about how to do it.
- Sleep with a headboard that is higher than your body.
- Eat at least 2–3 hours before bedtime.
- Try to sleep in a chair during naps.
- When you are obese, it is a good idea to reduce your weight by exercising and controlling your diet.
- Avoid fatty and acidic foods.
- Limit your intake of chocolate.
- Avoid spicy food.
- Cut down on carbonated drinks.
Complications of Gastric Acid Disease
Without treatment, this digestive disorder can lead to serious long-term complications, including an increased risk of cancer.
Continuous exposure to stomach acid in the esophagus can cause several complications, including:
- Esophagitis. The lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed, causing irritation, bleeding, and even ulceration in some cases.
- Stricture. Damage caused by stomach acid forms scars that make it difficult to swallow because food can get stuck when passing through the esophagus.
- Barrett’s esophagus. A disorder that causes repeated exposure to stomach acid that causes changes in the cells and tissues lining the esophagus. This can develop into cancer cells.