What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when the contents of your stomach move up into your esophagus. When this happens, you may feel a burning sensation in your chest, which can move into your throat. This is known as heartburn. If you experience acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition that affects about 20% of people in the United States.
Common symptoms of acid reflux include:
- An uncomfortable burning feeling in your chest, which may move up toward your throat
- A sour taste at the back of your mouth
- You may throw up some of the contents of your stomach into your mouth
- If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, you may find it hard to swallow or breathe
Acid reflux occurs because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weak or doesn’t close properly. Certain situations can trigger acid reflux such as:
- Acidic foods
- High-fat foods, especially fried foods
- Spicy foods
- Eating too much
- Certain types of medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, blood pressure medications, and sedatives
- Tobacco use
People with certain conditions are also at an increased risk of experiencing acid reflux:
8 foods and drinks that help with acid reflux
While certain foods and drinks can trigger acid reflux, there are also several that can help to ease your symptoms:
1. Oatmeal and Whole Grains
Oat and other whole grains, such as whole-grain bread and brown rice, are full of healthy fiber, which promotes digestive health. Whole grains also help you feel fuller longer, which can reduce the risk of overeating.
2. Ginger
Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Many people also use it to ease stomach upset and indigestion.
3. Lean Meats
Lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, and certain types of fish, are lower in fat than other types of meats and can help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Tofu is also an excellent low-fat protein source.
4. Vegetables
Vegetables, particularly green ones such as broccoli, green beans, asparagus, and leafy greens, can help to lower stomach acid, which can help with acid reflux. They’re low in factors that can trigger symptoms, including fat and sugar.
5. Noncitrus Fruits
Citrus and other acidic fruits can trigger acid reflux. Certain noncitrus fruits such as bananas and melons can help to ease your symptoms. Bananas coat the lining of your esophagus, which can reduce irritation. Melons are high in magnesium, a mineral found in many over-the-counter antacids that helps to neutralize stomach acid.
6. Herbal Tea
Green and black teas contain caffeine, which, like coffee, can trigger acid reflux symptoms. Certain types of herbal teas, on the other hand, can help alleviate your discomfort. These teas include chamomile, ginger, and licorice.
7. Plant-Based Milk
Full fat cow’s milk can trigger acid reflux. Additionally, many people have trouble digesting it. Certain types of non-dairy milk can help provide relief. For instance, almond milk is alkaline, so it can lower stomach acidity and ease symptoms. Soy milk is lower in fat than cow’s milk, making it a better alternative.
8. Coconut Water
Coconut water has electrolytes that can promote a better pH balance in your body, which helps to control acid reflux.
When to visit your doctor
Some people find relief on their own, without needing to see a doctor. If you experience symptoms of acid reflux two or more times per week, however, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment as this can indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease. Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist, who can perform tests such as:
- Barium X-rays: You drink a barium solution and then your doctor takes X-rays of your upper digestive tract
- Endoscopy: Your doctor inserts a camera into your esophagus to examine the tissue and take a small biopsy if necessary
- Biopsy: Your doctor takes a small sample of tissue from your esophagus to examine under a microscope
- Monitoring your pH levels: Your doctor monitors the acidity of your stomach
Seeking treatment for chronic acid reflux is important. Untreated, gastroesophageal reflux disease can lead to cancer of your esophagus. Other complications of untreated gastroesophageal reflux include:
- Inflammation in your esophagus (esophagitis)
- Permanent changes to the lining of your esophagus (Barrett’s syndrome)
- Chronic cough or breathing issues such as asthma
- Dental issues such as enamel erosion, cavities, and gum disease
Symptoms of acid reflux can also mimic symptoms of other serious conditions, such as:
Again, schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule out other issues and get an accurate diagnosis. With proper treatment and lifestyle changes, you can keep your acid reflux under control and live a normal life.

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Top 8 Foods and Drinks That Help with Acid Reflux Related Articles
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- regurgitation, and
- nausea.
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is caused by the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). LES is a group of muscles that act as a valve to prevent the acidic contents of the stomach from refluxing into the esophagus.Heartburn Causes, Symptoms and Remedies
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux that causes chest pain when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Heartburn symptoms may mimic chest pain that occurs during a heart attack. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may produce other symptoms.Heartburn vs. Acid Reflux (Differences and Similarities)
Heartburn and acid reflux are not the same thing. Heartburn is actually a symptom of acid reflux. Heartburn gets its name because it feels like a burning sensation around the heart. Another symptom that occurs with heartburn is a bitter or sour taste in the mouth, usually when you eat or lye down. Heartburn affects more than 60 million people in the US at least once a month. Acid reflux, or GERD, occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, which irritates it. Heartburn is just one symptom of acid reflux. Other symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Belching
- Nausea after eating
- A feeling of fullness during or after eating
- Abdominal bloating
- Upset stomach
- Belching
- Wheezing
- Reflux laryngitis
- A tightness in the throat
- Problems swallowing
- Indigestion
- In some people, vomiting
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- Being obese
- Slouching (poor posture)
- Medications like calcium channel blockers, theophylline, nitrates, and antihistamines
- Foods and drinks like caffeine, citrus fruits and vegetables, alcohol, and chocolate
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Increase in stomach acid
- Eating a heavy meal
- Eating before bed
The treatment for heartburn and acid reflux is to treat the underlying cause, for example, GERD, with over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, prescription medicine, natural remedies, and lifestyle changes like a eating a healthy, less fatty, spicy diet, not eating big meals, not eating before bed, and getting regular exercise to improve your posture.
Sometimes a heart attack can mimic heartburn and acid reflux because they feel very similar. If you have symptoms of chest pain, tightness in the chest, heartburn, acid reflux, jaw, tooth, or head pain; shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating, discomfort in the upper middle of the abdomen, arm or upper back pain, or the general feeling of being ill, go to the nearest Emergency Department immediately because these are the symptoms of a heart attack.
REFERENCES:
American College of Gastroenterology. "Acid Reflux." 2017.
<http://patients.gi.org/topics/acid-reflux/>
familydoctor.org. "Heartburn." Updated: Mar 2014.
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National Library of Medicine; PubMed Health. "Heartburn and GERD: Treatment options for GERD." Updated: Nov 18, 2015.
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072436/>How Can I Relieve Acid Reflux?
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