Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back up into the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth and stomach. Everyone experiences acid reflux from time to time. However, when reflux happens repeatedly over time, it can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Understanding What Helps Acid Reflux is crucial for managing symptoms and improving your quality of life. This article will explore various methods, from lifestyle adjustments to medical interventions, that can effectively alleviate acid reflux.
Diagnosing Acid Reflux: Understanding the Root Cause
Before determining what helps acid reflux, it’s essential to accurately diagnose the condition. While a history of symptoms and a physical exam can suggest GERD, further tests might be needed to confirm the diagnosis and check for any complications. Here are common diagnostic methods:
Endoscopy
An upper endoscopy is a procedure where a healthcare professional uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera (endoscope) to examine the upper digestive system. Inserted through the throat, the endoscope provides a clear view of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). While it might not directly detect reflux episodes, endoscopy can identify inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) or other complications caused by acid reflux. It can also help in taking tissue samples (biopsies) to check for conditions like Barrett’s esophagus, a complication linked to chronic GERD. In cases of esophageal narrowing, dilation can be performed during endoscopy to improve swallowing difficulties.
Ambulatory Acid (pH) Probe Test
This test directly measures acid reflux by monitoring the amount of acid in your esophagus over a period, typically 24 hours. A small monitor is placed in your esophagus, either through a thin tube inserted through the nose (catheter) or a capsule attached to the esophageal lining during endoscopy. The monitor records when and for how long stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This data helps quantify the severity of acid reflux and is valuable in determining what helps acid reflux most effectively for individual cases.
X-ray of the Upper Digestive System
An X-ray after drinking a barium solution, a chalky liquid that coats the digestive tract, can help visualize the esophagus and stomach. This is particularly helpful for individuals experiencing difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). The barium coating allows healthcare professionals to see the outline of these organs and identify any structural abnormalities that might contribute to acid reflux or swallowing problems. Sometimes, a barium pill is used to specifically assess esophageal narrowing.
Esophageal Manometry
This test assesses the function of the esophagus by measuring the rhythmic muscle contractions during swallowing. Esophageal manometry evaluates the coordination and strength of esophageal muscles, which are crucial for moving food down to the stomach and preventing reflux. This is often recommended for people with swallowing difficulties, helping to identify esophageal motility disorders that might exacerbate acid reflux.
Transnasal Esophagoscopy
Similar to upper endoscopy but less invasive, transnasal esophagoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera through the nose into the esophagus. This procedure allows for a direct visual examination of the esophageal lining to detect any damage caused by acid reflux.
Treatments for Acid Reflux: Finding Relief and Healing
Once diagnosed, various treatment options are available depending on the severity of acid reflux and individual needs. Understanding what helps acid reflux involves exploring lifestyle modifications, medications, and surgical procedures.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Your First Line of Defense
For many, lifestyle changes are the foundation of managing acid reflux and often the first step in discovering what helps acid reflux in their daily lives.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight, especially around the abdomen, increases pressure on the stomach, pushing stomach contents and acid into the esophagus. Weight loss, if needed, can significantly reduce acid reflux symptoms.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking impairs the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. Quitting smoking is crucial for improving LES function and reducing reflux.
- Elevate the Head of Your Bed: Raising the head of your bed by 6 to 9 inches using blocks or a wedge under the mattress utilizes gravity to help keep stomach acid in the stomach while you sleep. Simply using extra pillows is not as effective.
- Sleep on Your Left Side: Studies suggest that sleeping on your left side may reduce nighttime acid reflux compared to sleeping on your right side.
- Avoid Lying Down After Meals: Wait at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed. This allows the stomach to empty and reduces the likelihood of acid reflux.
- Eat Slowly and Chew Thoroughly: Eating too quickly or swallowing large bites can contribute to indigestion and acid reflux. Eating slowly and chewing food properly aids digestion.
- Identify and Avoid Trigger Foods and Drinks: Common reflux triggers include alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, fatty foods, spicy foods, tomatoes and peppermint. Keeping a food diary can help pinpoint your specific triggers.
- Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing: Tight clothes around the waist can increase abdominal pressure, worsening acid reflux.
Medications: Controlling Acid Production
When lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, medications play a vital role in what helps acid reflux. They primarily work by reducing stomach acid production or neutralizing existing acid.
Nonprescription Medications
- Antacids: Over-the-counter antacids like Tums, Rolaids, and Mylanta provide quick, temporary relief by neutralizing stomach acid. However, they don’t heal esophageal inflammation and overuse can lead to side effects.
- H2 Blockers: Histamine-2 (H2) blockers, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC) and cimetidine (Tagamet HB), reduce acid production in the stomach. They offer longer relief than antacids but are not as potent as proton pump inhibitors.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): PPIs like omeprazole (Prilosec OTC), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and esomeprazole (Nexium OTC) are powerful acid reducers that also allow the esophagus to heal. They are often recommended for more persistent or severe acid reflux.
Prescription Medications
- Prescription-Strength PPIs: For severe GERD, doctors may prescribe stronger PPIs such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and dexlansoprazole (Dexilant).
- Prescription-Strength H2 Blockers: Higher doses of H2 blockers are also available by prescription for more effective acid reduction.
Surgery and Other Procedures: Long-Term Solutions
For individuals who don’t find sufficient relief from medications or prefer to avoid long-term medication use, surgical and minimally invasive procedures offer alternative solutions for what helps acid reflux in the long run.
Fundoplication
Fundoplication is a surgical procedure designed to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. The most common type is Nissen fundoplication, where the surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach (fundus) around the lower esophagus. This creates pressure on the LES, making it tighter and less likely to allow acid reflux. Fundoplication is typically performed laparoscopically, using minimally invasive techniques.
LINX Device
The LINX device is a ring of small magnetic beads implanted around the junction of the stomach and esophagus. The magnetic attraction keeps the junction closed enough to prevent acid reflux but weak enough to allow food to pass into the stomach. LINX implantation is also a minimally invasive surgical procedure.
Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF)
TIF is a newer, incisionless procedure performed through the mouth using an endoscope. It tightens the LES by creating a partial wrap around the lower esophagus with polypropylene fasteners. TIF offers a quicker recovery time and is generally well-tolerated. However, it may not be suitable for individuals with large hiatal hernias unless combined with laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
While not scientifically proven to cure GERD, some complementary and alternative therapies may help manage symptoms for some individuals. These include ginger, chamomile, and slippery elm. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using alternative therapies, especially in conjunction with conventional treatments.
Preparing for Your Doctor’s Appointment
If you are experiencing persistent acid reflux symptoms, consulting a doctor is important to determine what helps acid reflux for your specific situation. Being prepared for your appointment can make the consultation more effective.
What You Can Do:
- Note Pre-Appointment Restrictions: Ask if there are any dietary restrictions before your appointment.
- List Your Symptoms: Write down all symptoms, even those seemingly unrelated to acid reflux.
- Identify Triggers: Note any specific foods, activities, or times of day that worsen your symptoms.
- Medication List: Bring a list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements you take.
- Medical History: Summarize your key medical history, including other conditions.
- Personal Information: Note any recent life changes or stressors.
- Questions to Ask: Prepare a list of questions for your doctor.
- Bring a Companion: Consider bringing a friend or family member to help remember information.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor:
- What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- What tests do I need?
- Is my condition temporary or chronic?
- What treatments are available?
- Are there any dietary or lifestyle restrictions?
- How will my other health conditions be managed alongside GERD?
By understanding the diagnosis, treatment options, and lifestyle adjustments, you can take proactive steps to manage acid reflux and improve your overall well-being. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment strategies on what helps acid reflux effectively for you.
