Acid reflux in adults is very common. Most people recognise that the condition is associated with food they are eating but not digesting properly. This is called food sensitivity or intolerance. Poorly digested food will quickly sour and turn rancid in the stomach. It is these undigested, toxic foods which are at the root of this gastric, acid reflux problem.
What is Heartburn?
Heartburn is a mild to severe pain in the chest. It usually occurs after eating a meal. Symptoms can vary from a mild digestive discomfort to a burning sensation in the chest. Most people treat their mild, infrequent symptoms of heartburn with medications such as antacids. However, your heartburn symptoms may be a warning of a more severe problem such as acid reflux.
What Is Acid Reflux?
When you swallow, food passes down your oesophagus and empties into your stomach. A circular muscle at the lower end of the oesophagus is in charge of closing off your oesophagus after food passes to the stomach. The acid from your stomach can rebound upwards into the oesophagus if this muscle is weak or doesn’t close properly
This is the classic acid reflux definition.
The lining of your oesophagus is more delicate than the lining of your stomach. Stomach acid will burn the delicate oesophageal lining. This burning sensation is commonly referred to as heartburn.
What Is GERD?
The chronic form of oesophageal burning is sometimes referred to as GERD. Pain from GERD may not be relieved with antacids or other over the counter medication.
Symptoms of GERD include:
• Feeling like stomach contents have come back up to the throat or mouth (regurgitation) • Dry cough • Trouble swallowing • Chronic discomfort
Consult Your Doctor
This powerful stomach acid can cause ulceration, bleeding or scarring of the delicate oesophageal lining. It is important to get such symptoms investigated medically due to the link with cancer.
The strong acid can cause a change to the oesophageal cells, predisposing the person to Barrett’s oesophagus. This increases your risk of oesophageal cancer.
Treat The Root Cause- Your Diet
People often ask if there is a standard acid reflux diet. The answer is no, however, there are some common trigger foods which could be classed as acid reflux causes. Foods such as onions, garlic and peppers appear to irritate some people. There is no specific acid reflux treatment diet which works for everyone.
Many people recognise that foods are triggering these symptoms. A classic food allergy reaction is very immediate and obvious. A food intolerance is more difficult to pinpoint as it can be a delayed or hidden reaction.
An increasing number of people have resolved these symptoms by using the food IgG antibody test.
For specific details about these food IgG antibody tests, you can contact our Dublin clinic. Our tests are also available to buy through our online shop.
