Are you experiencing chest pains more often, but all your heart tests are normal? How about a sour taste going up your throat now and then? These are common signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), a disorder in which acid-containing contents in your stomach seep back into your esophagus, the tube that connects your neck to your gut.
Let’s dig deeper and find out why this happens; acid reflux occurs when a valve at the end of your esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, fails to seal correctly as food enters your stomach. Acid backwash then runs up your esophagus and into your throat and mouth, leaving you with a sour taste. Almost everyone experiences acid reflux at some point in their lives. It is very natural to have acid reflux and heartburn on occasion. However, if you experience acid reflux/heartburn more than twice a week for several weeks, use heartburn medicines and antacids regularly, and your symptoms persist, most likely you have GERD.
What Can We Do to Prevent this?
Your doctor would most likely advise you to begin with lifestyle changes and nonprescription drugs. If you don’t feel better after a few weeks, your doctor may suggest prescription medicine and more tests.
Here are a few tips to save yourself from having this chronic disease:
- If you are on the heavy side, incorporating walking and drinking of water to your lifestyle gradually is much preferable to avoid these diseases.
- Eating small, frequent meals throughout the day is also an effective prevention.
- Reduce your fat intake by cutting back on butter, oils, salad dressings, gravy, fatty meats, and full-fat dairy products like sour cream, cheese, and whole milk.
- If you are a smoker, it is also suggested to try to reduce your nicotine consumption until you can quit.
You can control your GERD symptoms. You should be able to manage your GERD symptoms if you modify your eating and sleeping patterns and use medicines as appropriate. If you have acid reflux/heartburn more than twice a week for several weeks, take heartburn and antacids regularly, and your symptoms persist, contact your healthcare provider.
Sources and Reference:
- GERD (Chronic Acid Reflux): Management and Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. December 6, 2019.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. July 26, 2022.