https://vsmpharmacy.co.uk/food-intolerance/Did you know one in five people in the UK suffer with acid reflux? That’s a lot of people suffering with the effects of stomach regurgitation. Regurtition includes stomach contents that include gastric acid.
In this guide we talk about the causes and symptoms of acid reflux. We’ll tell you how you can treat it with medication and lifestyle changes.
When you eat, the contents end up in your stomach. If you have acid reflux the stomach contents including gastric acid regurgitate. They then travel back up from your stomach into your Oesophagus. This can give you a nasty acid taste in your mouth and you might also suffer from heartburn. Heartburn can be described as a ‘burning’ sensation. It often starts at the lower end of the breastbone and travels upwards.
Most of the time the symptoms of acid reflux are the ‘burning’ sensation and pain in the chest. Sometimes the contents of the stomach rise up through the oesophagus and into the throat. This can cause a person to cough or gag. Symptoms are usually worse when you lie down and after rich meals. Alcohol can also cause acid reflux and so can citrus fruit juice and hot drinks.
Smoking, stress, anxiety and being overweight are other causes. You might also have a hiatus hernia or a stomach ulcer.
A hiatus hernia occurs when part of your stomach moves up into your chest. It causes symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, and pain when you swallow.
A stomach ulcer is a sore which develops in the lining of the stomach. It causes a burning sensation, heartburn, and acid reflux.
If you start being sick, you have heartburn almost every day or you are losing weight and you’re not dieting, then it may be a good idea to see your doctor. You should also pay them a visit if you have been taking treatments recommended by your pharmacist, but they are not working.
Your doctor may send you to your local hospital to have a test to see if you have any underlying problems with your stomach or your oesophagus. You will most likely be offered a Barium Meal or an Endoscopy.
You drink barium liquid and then have your intestines x-rayed. The x-ray will show your oesophagus, the first part of your intestine and your stomach. It will normally tell a medical professional if you have an oesophagus narrowing or a hiatus hernia.
A thin tube is passed through your nose or mouth and down into your oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine As it works itself down it will take samples of tissue which will then be analysed in a laboratory. The process will take around 15 minutes.
Your are likely to be offered a sedative or a throat spray because while the procedure isn’t painful it can be uncomfortable.
For people who have persistent heartburn and acid reflux there is a test you can have for a condition called Barrett’s Oesophagus. This condition can lead to cancer, and it begins when there are abnormal cells in the lining of the oesophagus. Not all people who have Barrett’s will develop cancer, but small proportion may do so and that’s why you may be over a test.
Some hospitals will test using an endoscope, but there is a new test called a Cytosponge. You will be asked to swallow a small capsule. It has a sponge inside and once the capsule is dissolved the sponge is released. The sponge will be pulled upwards on a string and as it travels forward it collects cells from the oesophagus for analysis.
Yes. Your pharmacist can recommend antacids. Antacids help to cut down the acid in your stomach which will relieve heartburn or acid reflux. Common antacids are Rennie’s, Gaviscon and Pepto-Bismol and you can buy these brands as a liquid or a chewable tablet.
You should take antacids with or soon after a meal, just before bed or when you have symptoms of acid reflux. Most antacids contain magnesium, calcium, and sodium. Some medicines will contain alginate. Alginate provides your stomach with a protective layer which is a barrier to stop the acid coming back up to your oesophagus.
Whilst antacids are in the main safe for almost everyone, for some people this won’t be the case. It isn’t recommended to give antacids to children under the age of 12. People who take tablets for high blood pressure might not feel well taking an antacid because it contains sodium.
Conditions such as liver disease, heart failure or kidney disease may mean you can’t take antiacids and you should also speak to your pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Here at VSM Pharmacy we are always on hand to advise you about over-the-counter remedies and health conditions. Just ask a member of staff if you need any help.
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