Acid Reflux Treatment: Medications, Surgery & Home Relief
Acid reflux occurs when the stomach acid moves back up into the oesophagus (food pipe). It causes heartburn, a sour taste in the mouth, chest discomfort, and irritation in the throat. Occasional heartburn can be managed at home with a few over-the-counter medications.
However, if acid reflux happens more than twice a week, then a doctor may diagnose gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although most cases improve with medicines and lifestyle changes, some people may need surgery.
Keep reading to understand some of the best acid reflux treatment methods.
What Causes Acid Reflux?
When we swallow, the circular band of muscle around the bottom of our oesophagus relaxes to allow food or liquid to flow into the stomach. It also opens a little bit to allow gas bubbles to pass while we’re burping or getting hiccups. This valve is known as the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES).
Acid reflux occurs when the LES weakens or relaxes enough to let stomach acid flow back into the oesophagus. Sometimes, it can relax if you lie down immediately after a heavy meal. But if the LES is relaxing often, the constant backwash of acids can irritate the lining of the oesophagus, causing inflammation and leading to GERD.
Some of the common causes of acid reflux can include:
1. Obesity
Excess weight puts extra pressure on the abdomen and may weaken the LES muscles over time. If you’re obese for a long time, then it may even permanently damage the LES valve. It’s also a common risk factor for hiatal hernia.
2. Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the pressure and volume on the abdomen can push, stretch and weaken the muscles in the diaphragm that support your LES. Pregnancy hormones like relaxin, oestrogen, and progesterone help in relaxing the muscles so they can stretch and make room for the fetus. High levels of these hormones also relax the LES, causing temporary acid reflux.
3. Hiatal Hernia
It occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes up through the hole in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest and abdomen) where the oesophagus passes through. It moves the LES above the diaphragm, where it loses its muscular support. This makes acid move up into the oesophagus, which causes heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux.
4. Smoking
Smoking and even passive smoking can weaken the muscles that help keep stomach acid down. It may also slow digestion and increase stomach acid production, which can worsen acid reflux symptoms. In some cases, smoking is also linked to hiatal hernia.
5. Birth Defects
Some of the congenital defects, such as oesophageal atresia (when the food pipe does not develop properly) and hernias, can weaken the LES and increase the risk of acid reflux.
6. Other Diseases
Certain connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma (a condition that can harden and tighten body tissues), can weaken the muscles in the oesophagus and LES.
7. Prior Surgery
Any major surgery in your chest and upper abdomen can injure the oesophagus muscles, which may weaken the LES and increase the risk of acid reflux.
8. Certain Medications
Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications can have a relaxing effect on your LES. Sedatives, antidepressants, asthma medications, and hormone therapy medicines after menopause may also weaken the LES or worsen acid reflux symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Occasional acid reflux is common and usually settles on its own. But when it happens frequently, it can irritate the lining of the oesophagus and develop into GERD. In many cases, the symptoms become more noticeable after heavy meals, while lying down, or at night.
Common symptoms of acid reflux can include:
- A burning pain or discomfort that moves from your stomach to your chest and even up to your throat. If this feels intensely in your chest, then it’s called heartburn.
- Sometimes, the pain is not a burning sensation, but it may feel like heart-related pain, as oesophagus pain triggers the same nerves as cardiac-related pain does.
- Regurgitation or the backflow of acid, food, or liquid from the stomach into your throat after eating. You may also feel the sour taste of the acid.
- Nausea, bloating, and loss of appetite.
- Persistent reflux into the throat can cause soreness. You may feel a lump in your throat that is difficult to swallow.
- If acid particles reach the airways, they can contract them, causing asthma-like symptoms such as chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
How to Treat Acid Reflux at Home?
Acid reflux treatment at home involves avoiding foods and beverages that trigger the symptoms. Here’s what you can do:
- If you’re overweight, try to lose weight through exercise and dietary adjustments.
- Try to quit smoking.
- Take smaller meals throughout the day. Try to avoid spicy foods, deep-fried items, fatty foods, chocolate, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppermint, caffeinated drinks, and fizzy beverages if they trigger your symptoms.
- Finish eating at least 2 to 3 hours before lying down.
- For daytime naps, try resting in a slightly upright position (on a chair) instead of lying completely flat.
- Avoid tight clothes or belts, as they can put pressure on the stomach.
- Try to raise the head of your bed (at least 4 to 6 inches) by putting blocks under the head. This will help prevent stomach acid from moving upwards while sleeping.
What Are the Medical Treatment Options for Acid Reflux?
Medical treatment of acid reflux depends on whether the symptoms are chronic or temporary.
The first line of treatment involves lifestyle adjustments and over-the-counter medicines. These can include:
1. Antacids
These contain calcium carbonate, which help neutralise stomach acids and provide quick relief from heartburn. These are effective for occasional acid reflux, but overusing them can cause side effects, such as diarrhoea or sometimes kidney complications.
2. Alginates
These are naturally occurring sugars derived from seaweed, which help to block acid reflux. They float on top of the acid, creating a physical barrier between the acid and your oesophagus.
If these medicines don’t work well, then the doctor may prescribe other medications, such as:
3. Histamine Receptor Antagonists (H2 Blockers)
H2 blockers reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces by blocking histamine, a chemical that signals acid production. They usually provide longer relief than antacids and are commonly recommended for people with frequent heartburn, especially at night.
4. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)
These are stronger acid blockers that allow the oesophagus time to heal. They are mainly prescribed if you have severe GERD symptoms or signs of tissue damage in the oesophagus.
5. Baclofen
Baclofen may be used in selected cases of refractory GERD to reduce transient LES relaxations, but its use is limited due to side effects and is not a standard first-line treatment.
Sometimes, acid reflux can continue to cause complications despite taking medicines. In such cases, you need more definitive treatment for acid reflux. These can include minor surgical procedures, such as:
6. Nissen Fundoplication
It’s the most common surgical procedure for GERD and is usually performed using laparoscopic surgery, where surgeons use small cuts and a tiny camera instead of one large incision. During the procedure, the surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower oesophagus and secures it with stitches to strengthen the junction between them.
7. LINX Device
It’s a ring of tiny magnetic beads that is wrapped around the junction of the stomach and oesophagus using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. The magnetic attraction between the beads helps keep the junction closed, but it’s weak enough to allow food to pass through.
Almost everyone experiences the symptoms of acid reflux once in a while. The feeling of heartburn, indigestion, and acid regurgitation can feel unpleasant and affect your quality of life.
The treatment of acid reflux depends on the frequency of symptoms. Temporary symptoms can be managed at home with over-the-counter medicines or lifestyle modifications. However, persistent symptoms need prescription medicines or surgical intervention, depending on the severity of the condition.
Reader Information: The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, treatment, or lifestyle regimen. If you experience persistent or severe symptoms of acid reflux, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss, seek immediate medical attention.
FAQs
1. What to do during an acid reflux attack or heartburn?
During an acid reflux attack, try doing these for immediate relief from heartburn:
- Stand up to prevent acid backwash into your throat.
- Take small sips of water to wash down the acid back into your stomach.
- Take off your belt and loosen your pants to feel comfortable.
- Take an antacid for relief from a burning sensation or chest pain.
2. When should I seek a healthcare professional for acid reflux?
If you experience symptoms of acid reflux frequently, like more than twice a week, then consult a healthcare provider immediately. It’s essential to check the severity of your condition so that an appropriate treatment plan can be devised.
3. Which foods trigger acid reflux?
If you’re prone to heartburn, then try to avoid these foods as they may trigger acid reflux:
- Highly fried foods
- Spicy or fatty foods
- Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, and tomatoes.
- Caffeinated beverages, like tea, coffee, or soda
- Chocolate
- Alcoholic drinks, like beer and wine
- Mint or peppermint
4. Is there any Ayurvedic treatment for acid reflux?
The acid reflux Ayurvedic treatments include medicines, like Avipattikar Churna, Kamdudha Ras, Triphala Churna, Hingwashtak Churna, and Shankh Bhasma. These medicines aid in digestion and help manage acid reflux naturally.
5. Can acid reflux lead to cancer?
In some rare cases, acid reflux can lead to cancer. Chronic GERD increases the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, particularly in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus, though it accounts for only a portion of total oesophageal cancer cases. The complications of acid reflux, including oesophagitis and Barrett’s oesophagus, pose a high risk of cancer.
