HEARTBURN/ACID REFLUX: SEPARATING FACTS FROM FICTION

Heartburn/Acid reflux

While it may feel like your heart is on fire, it is actually your esophagus that is causing all the pain and discomfort. The esophagus is the tube that carries the food you eat to your stomach. The medical term for this condition which is also called acid reflux disease is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is a common disorder as evidenced by the prevalence of antacids in the market with most people taking them at least twice a week. In order to stop acid reflux, it is important to separate fact from fiction.

What is Acid Reflux Disease?

At least 7% of the population in the US suffers from this condition everyday which shows how common this condition is. The burn which is a common symptom of this disease is caused by stomach acids that are literally burning the esophagus. These are very strong, industrial strength acids that are meant to stay in the stomach because the stomach features a protective lining to prevent being damaged by these stomach acids which are necessary in the digestion of food.

The reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach including some stomach acids get back into the esophagus before the esophageal sphincter closes. This is the valve at the base of the esophagus that is meant to keep the contents of the stomach from returning to the esophagus.

If you have suffered from heartburn or acid reflux disease symptoms, you know how painful, unpleasant and even frightening it can be. And while many can be treated with antacids, in some cases this condition can be very serious if there is a complication in the esophagus in which case acid reflux can lead to an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus.

Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease

• A hot, dull, burning ache or pain behind the breastbone which leads to many calling this heartburn
• A great deal of belching with no apparent cause
• A sour taste in the mouth from the acid being regurgitated back into the esophagus
• Pain or difficulty swallowing
• Sudden appearance of a large quantity of saliva in the mouth

Acid Reflux Fact or Fiction?

1. Acid is the only chemical involved

Answer: Fiction

Fact - New research has shown that it is not just stomach acids that are involved with this condition. Other chemicals produced by the body that may play a role in this condition besides stomach acids include bile and pepsin.

Bile is produced by the liver and helps to break down fats and usually stays in the gallbladder and intestines. In some cases bile mixed with other pancreatic juices may reflux back into the stomach and then into the esophagus.

Pepsin is secreted by the cells found in the stomach lining and is important for breaking down protein. When pepsin refluxes into the esophagus especially into an esophagus that is already damaged by acid reflux, it can injure the esophagus by digesting the proteins in this organ.

2. Spicy foods, tomato products and citrus can lead to heartburn

Answer: Fiction

Fact - In order to stop acid reflux, many people may seek to avoid the above foods thinking they cause this condition. While the above foods can irritate an already inflamed esophagus, no research shows that they cause heartburn.

If someone has an inflamed esophagus, avoiding these foods can certainly help. Research has shown however that there are certain foods that can cause heartburn and these include greasy or fatty foods as well as eating large meals. Additional food and drink (alcohol, caffeine, chocolate) and medications also have a direct link to heartburn as they cause the esophageal sphincter to relax leading to acid reflux.

3. Acid Reflux is prevalent in people who produce more stomach acid

Answer: Fiction

Fact - Sufferers of acid reflux disease do not produce any more stomach acid that anyone else who does not suffer from this condition whether the stomach is empty or full. The problem with this disease is not the amount of stomach acid but the amount that refluxes into the esophagus repeatedly and why it occurs in certain individuals and not others which could be due to lifestyle differences as well as many other reasons.

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