Acid reflux
Acid reflux Symptoms
- heartburn – a burning sensation in the middle of your chest
- an unpleasant sour taste in your mouth, caused by stomach acid
- a cough or hiccups that keep coming back
- a hoarse voice
- bad breath
- bloating and feeling sick
Acid reflux causes
- certain food and drink – such as coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and fatty or spicy foods
- being overweight
- smoking
- pregnancy
- stress and anxiety
- some medicines, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers (like ibuprofen)
- a hiatus hernia – when part of your stomach moves up into your chest
Acid reflux treatment
Acid reflux medication
Omeprazole – Omeprazole is a generic drug used to treat certain conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. It is used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. Read more about Omeprazole.
Lansoprazole – Lansoprazole is a generic drug used to treat certain conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. It is used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. Read more about Lansoprazole.
Esomeprazole – Esomeprazole is a generic drug used to treat certain conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. It is used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. Read more about Esomeprazole.
Pantoprazole – Pantoprazole is a generic drug used to treat certain conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. It is used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. Read more about Pantoprazole.
Tests and surgery for heartburn and acid reflux
- tests to find out what’s causing your symptoms, such as a gastroscopy (where a thin tube with a camera is passed down your throat)
- an operation to stop acid reflux – called a laparoscopic fundoplication
what helps acid reflux?
- eat smaller, more frequent meals
- raise one end of your bed 10 to 20cm by putting something under your bed or mattress – make it so your chest and head are above the level of your waist, so stomach acid doesn’t travel up towards your throat
- try to lose weight if you’re overweight
- try to find ways to relax
- do not have food or drink that triggers your symptoms
- do not eat within 3 or 4 hours before bed
- do not wear clothes that are tight around your waist
- do not smoke
- do not drink too much alcohol
- do not stop taking any prescribed medicine without speaking to a doctor first