Do you feel uncomfortable after eating a large meal? This could symbolize a condition known as acid reflux. While occasional heartburn raises no cause for alarm, you need to seek professional assistance if your symptoms persist. For diagnosis and treatment of acid reflux in San Antonio, contact the Digestive & Liver Disease Center for a customized treatment option.
Meaning of Acid reflux
A ring of muscles functioning as a valve that controls the connection between your esophagus and your stomach. As food reaches your stomach, the valve closes, trapping your stomach acid inside. In the case of acid reflux, the valve does not work as it should, causing the acid to move back up your esophagus, leading to acid reflux.
Two significant symptoms characterize acid reflux. The first is heartburn that contributes to a burning sensation in your lower chest. As per the American College of Gastroenterology, about sixty million Americans experience heartburn discomforts monthly.
Another primary symptom of acid reflux is the sour or bitter taste you feel in your mouth when the acid flushes back up your esophagus. Other symptoms of this condition include:
- Hiccups
- Nausea
- Burping
- Wheezing, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat
- Bloating
What are the risk factors leading to acid reflux disease?
Common risk factors for acid reflux include:
- Being obese or overweight
- Lying down right after a meal or partaking in large meals
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
- Snacking right before bedtime
- Taking ibuprofen, aspirin, blood pressure medications, or certain muscle relaxers
- Particular food including tomato, citrus, garlic, onions, chocolate, or spicy foods
- Certain beverages such as coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, or alcohol
What is the difference between gastroesophageal reflux disease and acid reflux?
While you will experience acid reflux whenever stomach acid enters your esophagus, if your episodes occur twice or more times a week, it may be a sign of chronic acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
If your heart burn occurs regularly after meals, schedule a consultation with Dr. Narvaez of Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio for definitive diagnosis and treatment. Being an expert gastroenterologist, your provider is proficient in identifying effective and alternative treatments for lasting relief.
Treatment of Acid Reflux
Your treatment alternative depends on the cause of acid reflux. For instance, eating a heavy meal and lying down immediately after can contribute to acid reflux. Your provider at Digestive & Liver Disease grants you relief by recommending relevant lifestyle changes to reduce your vulnerability to acid reflux.
In other cases, your acid reflux may be due to a problem in your stomach. In the case of a hiatal hernia or any other stomach complication, Dr. Narvaez tackles it directly to address your acid reflux and recommend suitable treatment options.
To sum up, Dr. Narvaez works with you, aiming to identify the cause of your acid reflux, helping you identify a practical solution. Your provider believes there is no need to deal with these discomforts as a part of your daily life.
For professional acid reflux diagnosis and treatment, contact the specialists at Digestive & Liver Disease Center of San Antonio. Please book online or call their offices to get started on your recovery journey.