What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when food and acid from your stomach travel back up your esophagus. This can cause a burning sensation in your chest and throat, known as heartburn, as well as other symptoms.
The terms acid reflux, heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. Acid reflux is a condition, and heartburn is one of its symptoms. Over time, acid reflux can cause GERD, a more serious, long-term condition in which acid reflux occurs repeatedly or causes complications.
Acid reflux is very common and affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. Most people can treat it with lifestyle changes, home remedies or over-the-counter medicines. But if chronic symptoms interfere with your quality of life, your doctor can help.
What causes acid reflux?
After eating, food travels down your esophagus, the muscular tube connecting your throat to your stomach. Your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) acts as a valve, relaxing to allow food to enter your stomach and then closing.
Acid reflux occurs when the LES relaxes at the wrong time or becomes weakened, allowing food, stomach (gastric) acid and bile to travel back up into your esophagus. Your stomach is designed to handle the highly acidic fluids that aid in digestion, but they can cause a painful, burning sensation if they travel to your esophagus.
Acid reflux symptoms
Heartburn is the symptom most frequently associated with acid reflux. It can feel like a burning sensation in the middle of your chest rising towards your throat. You might also have regurgitation, where you feel your stomach contents coming back into your throat and mouth. However, not everyone will experience these.
Other symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Bad taste in your mouth
- Burping or hiccups
- Chest pain
- Cough or hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive saliva
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting, especially after meals
- Pain when swallowing
- Sore throat
When to see a doctor
Most people can relieve occasional symptoms with home treatment or over-the-counter acid reflux remedies. However, you should see your primary care provider or a gastroenterologist if:
- You have acid reflux more than twice a week.
- You often feel sick to your stomach or like throwing up.
- Your symptoms don’t get better when you take over-the-counter medications.
- You begin losing weight because symptoms make it hard to eat or reduce your appetite.
Acid reflux risk factors
Many factors can lead to your LES being weakened, including being overweight or pregnant and taking certain medicines. Still, acid reflux can affect people of any age, from infants to older adults. But some factors can increase your chances of getting it.
Risk factors of acid reflux include:
- Age: Your LES can weaken as you age.
- Being overweight or obese: Excess weight can put more pressure on your stomach and affect your LES.
- Pregnancy: Acid reflux is common during pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. Your hormones cause your esophageal sphincter to relax and your developing baby puts pressure on your stomach.
- Smoking (or inhaling smoke): Chemicals in tobacco can weaken your LES.
- Stress: Stress and anxiety can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, including acid reflux.
Complications of acid reflux
Chronic acid reflux can cause GERD, a long-term condition that can damage the lining of your esophagus. GERD itself can cause serious health problems, such as esophageal cancer or a chronic cough.
Other complications of acid reflux may include:
- Esophagitis: Inflammation in the lining of the esophagus.
- Barrett’s esophagus: When the tissues lining your esophagus change to look like intestinal lining. This is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.
- Asthma: Acid in your airway may aggravate people with existing asthma or cause symptoms in people without preexisting respiratory conditions. Seeking treatment for acid reflux may help you avoid GERD complications and any long-term health effects.
Diagnosing acid reflux
If you’re experiencing symptoms like heartburn, chest discomfort or a sour taste in your mouth, your primary care provider may be able to diagnose acid reflux just by reviewing your symptoms and medical history. In many cases, no additional testing is needed. However, if your symptoms don’t improve with treatment or your doctor suspects a more serious condition like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), they may order tests or refer you to a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist.
Acid reflux treatment
Many lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications can help you with occasional acid reflux. It may help to identify what triggers your reflux and avoid them. When lifestyle changes and nonprescription medications no longer help, your doctor can give you prescription alternatives and, if your symptoms interfere with your daily life, order tests to see if you have GERD.
Find specialized care for acid reflux near you
At Baylor Scott & White, we offer several locations for the treatment of acid reflux, including gastroenterology centers across North and Central Texas. Our experienced team is ready to provide personalized care to help improve your quality of life. Whether you're seeking diagnosis, treatment or require ongoing support, we're by your side.
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