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Acid reflux: my experiences and prevention strategy
18 January 2010
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid comes back up into your esophagus, causing a painful burning sensation. Those who suffer from acid reflux may have been diagnosed with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which usually does not go away, but symptoms can be treated.
Who can suffer from acid reflux?
Anybody can suffer from acid reflux.
My experiences?
I used to hear my parents, especially my father, talk about acid reflux, but I never really understood what it was until I got it myself; in fact, I always thought it was something from which only people my parents' and grandparents' age suffered. I suffer from it on a semi-regular basis, and sometimes it's so bad that I don't want to eat or drink or even move. My throat burns so badly that nothing will tame it.
I used to take Tums or drink milk when I was experiencing bad reflux, but my doctor told me that the calcium in the milk and in the Tums actually exaserbated my symptoms; so, I quit using those methods and began treatment with Zantac. A 75mg tablet di all right keeping the symptoms at bay, but only for a short time. I could not for the life of me get rid of the reflux, so I went back to the doctor, who then prescribed 150mg of Zantac. This helped more than the 75mg, but again, only for a short time.
I was at a loss then, but I have recently figured out how to fight acid reflux without medication. I have not cured myself, but I know how to prevent it from happening so often. It only took me ten years, but better late than...well, you get the idea.
What causes acid reflux?
While there are physical causes for acid reflux, like hiatal hernia, I have found that the other causes fit my syptoms the best. I wonder if you might be in the same situation. Here are some of the causes of my acid reflux:
- Smoking—for the longest time, I did not want to admit that something that made me feel so good was making me feel so badly. I noticed that the fewer cigarettes I smoked the lighter my acid reflux. I have since quit smoking, but there are more habits yet to mention that contribute to the problem.
- Beer—beer? How could this be? Why dost thou betray me? Yes, it's true; the beer I drank, rather the amount of beer I drank, was causing me a great deal of acid reflux. My symptoms seemed worse at times from drinking beer than they ever did from smoking. But, here again, the fewer beers I consumed the lighter my symptoms. I have not altogether stopped drinking beer, but I have significantly reduced the amount and frequency with which I drink.
- Chocolate—need I even begin? I love chocolate, but too much of it increases my symptoms. Very little chocolate for me.
- Spicy foods—I can't live without spicy foods. I have to put hot sauce in just about everything. I love it. But, it does not love me.
- Oninons, garlic, salt, pepper, soda pop, coffee (high acid content), tea, all of these increase my chances of suffering greatly the night of or the morning after consumption.
Sure, there are others, but the above are my main weaknesses, except for smoking, which I quit two years ago. So, what have I done to help combat acid reflux?
My prevention strategy and some final words
I have drastically reduced the amount of those good-tasting-but-bad-for-me foods and drinks, and this has greatly reduced my symptoms. Sometimes, I can go for weeks without so much as a tingle in my throat, as long as I am paying attention to what I am consuming. The holidays are the worst time of the year for me, as I eat and eat and eat too much of those good-tasting foods. Consequently, I suffer and suffer and suffer.
I am not a doctor, so I am not claiming cures or best practices. I am only giving you my experiences in the hopes that you might consider some of the foods and drinks you're consuming as being causes for your suffering. You don't have to quit doing anything if you don't want to; I haven't quit a lot of what I listed above. However, you can reduce your intake of those foods and drinks and maybe live pain free for awhile.
One other technique you might try is to exercise. I have found that a combination of healthy eating and exercise go a long way to help ease the symptoms of acid reflux.
References:
Marks, Jay, MD.(2004). "GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid reflux, heartburn) causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment." Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/article.htm on 18 January 2010.
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