Highlights
- Acid reflux is a common ailment everyone experiences occasionally, although more frequent bouts may be diagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- There are multiple causes, most often dietary. Acid reflux can’t be eliminated completely, but it can be managed.
- BidRx can help you find the lowest prices on your acid reflux medication.
Acid reflux, also called heartburn, is a common ailment that we all experience from time to time. If you get it on a regular basis, though, there’s no reason to put up with it. Here’s what you should know about acid reflux, what causes it, and how to effectively treat it.
What Is Acid Reflux?
If you have acid reflux, the sphincter muscle at the bottom of your esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to creep up from the stomach. It can relax for a number of reasons, like pressure on the stomach or too much in the stomach too quickly. It can happen at any time, including when you’re asleep.
If you experience acid reflux frequently and take over-the-counter heartburn medication more than twice a week, ask your doctor about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is potentially more serious than occasional acid reflux but can be easily managed.
Acid Reflux Causes
Occasional acid reflux has a few common triggers:
- Fried or fatty foods. These may require more acid to break down, increasing the amount of acid in the stomach.
- Regularly eating large meals. Overfilling the stomach may cause it to overproduce acid.
- Acidic food or drinks. Some common drinks, like coffee or orange juice, are acidic enough to cause problems or make mild acid reflux worse.
- Regular consumption of some over-the-counter medicines. Some common medications, like aspirin, have been found to increase acid reflux.
- Other digestive concerns. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other gastrointestinal issues experience acid reflux as a “downstream” symptom, particularly if it causes their stomach to empty slowly.
- Body position. If you lie down immediately after a meal, it makes it more difficult to digest and may trigger reflux.
- Strenuous exercise right after a meal. While the folk wisdom about not swimming after a meal is a myth in the sense that you might die, rigorous exercise can make you uncomfortable if you overdo it.
Acid Reflux Symptoms
The most common sign of acid reflux is heartburn, a burning sensation in your chest, but you can also experience:
- Sudden regurgitation or vomiting
- Trouble swallowing
- Excessive belching
- Pain in the abdomen or chest
- A feeling like a lump in your throat
- Persistent cough
- Laryngitis
- Asthma symptoms
The latter three symptoms are more common with sleep-related acid reflux, as acid can more easily move higher into the esophagus and into the airways when you’re lying down.
Acid Reflux Diagnosis
Acid reflux is diagnosed by its symptoms. If you experience the symptoms and over-the-counter medication resolves them, it’s likely acid reflux.
If you’re experiencing it on a regular basis, see your doctor. A few tests should confirm whether you have GERD, and they may perform a differential diagnosis to rule out other concerns for some symptoms, such as chest pain.
Acid Reflux Risk Factors
While everyone will get acid reflux occasionally, there are some factors that can make it more frequent or push it into GERD:
- Obesity
- Hiatal hernia (hernia at the top of the diaphragm)
- Smoking
- Connective tissue concerns or disorders, such as scleroderma
- Problems with stomach emptying
- Pregnancy
- Sleep apnea
- Gallstones
Acid Reflux Complications
While occasional acid reflux has few complications, more frequent attacks classified as GERD can cause longer-term problems, such as:
- Esophagitis. Stomach acid wears away at the esophagus, causing inflammation, bleeding, and in severe cases, esophageal ulcers.
- Esophageal stricture. Scar tissue formed by acid damage can narrow the esophagus, making it harder to swallow.
- Injury to the larynx and vocal cords. Stomach acid can inflame the vocal cords and damage the larynx, leading to permanent vocal changes such as hoarseness or more frequent bouts of laryngitis.
- Dental erosion. Repeated exposure to stomach acid can corrode tooth enamel, especially the back teeth, leading to dental surgery.
- Precancerous or cancerous lesions. Over time, changes in the esophagus can lead to cancers in the upper digestive tract, particularly the mouth and esophagus.
Acid Reflux Treatment
For any form of acid reflux, lifestyle changes, particularly in what you eat, will be the first step. Document what you eat after you experience symptoms, and track your possible trigger foods, especially the ones listed above. If you smoke, quit. Being more active and managing body weight can also help.
If your symptoms are becoming more frequent, get checked and discuss the possibility of GERD with your provider. They may recommend medication.
Medication for GERD is available in three classes:
- Antacids. Antacids neutralize stomach acid by introducing a base to the stomach. These are generally available over the counter.
- Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Sometimes called prescription antacids, proton-pump inhibitors instead work by reducing the acid your stomach produces. PPIs are currently available both by prescription and over the counter.
- H2-receptor agonists. While these have largely been phased out of GERD treatment, your doctor may prescribe one if you’re allergic to other medication or have concerns about PPIs. Drugs in this class work reduce stomach acid by blocking a specific histamine.
In extreme cases, where GERD is frequent or causing severe damage, your provider may recommend surgery to strengthen the stomach sphincter.
Find the Lowest Price for Your Acid Reflux Medication
Acid reflux shouldn’t keep you from living your life, and BidRx helps you manage the costs of acid reflux medication. On the BidRx site, you submit your prescription, and pharmacies across the country compete for your business, allowing you to select the best price. You then have your medication shipped to you or pick it up locally, depending on the offer you choose.
Living with acid reflux shouldn’t mean compromising with it. With BidRx, you can get the medication you need to live your life at the best possible price. Get started by viewing all our acid reflux medications, and create a bid today!
