Symptoms of gastric reflux

Gastric juice is acidic, so when gastric reflux occurs, it will irritate the esophagus and cause severe coughing. In addition, the symptoms of gastric reflux will also make people feel heartburn, which is a burning pain. Gastric reflux is mostly related to inflammation, so it is best to treat it with medication. One of the milder symptoms is belching, which can affect work and normal life if it is serious.

1. What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

The most obvious symptom of acid reflux is heartburn, a burning pain behind the breastbone. It originates in the chest and can extend to the neck, pharynx, and even the face. It is caused by acid reflux and usually occurs after a meal or when lying down. It may be accompanied by reflux of gastric contents into the mouth or excessive saliva. When stomach acid irritates the inflamed lower esophagus, increased saliva secretion is called acid reflux.

2. Complications of acid reflux

Complications of acid reflux include narrowing of a section of the esophagus (peptic esophageal stricture), esophageal ulcers, and precancerous changes in the lining of the esophagus (Barrett's syndrome). Inflammation of the esophagus can cause pain and bleeding when swallowing. Bleeding is usually mild, but may also be severe. Stenosis makes swallowing solid food more difficult. Peptic esophageal ulcers are open lesions in the lining of the esophagus. The pain is often located behind or just below the sternum and can usually be relieved by antacids. This type of ulcer heals slowly, requires 4 to 12 weeks of medication to reduce stomach acid, tends to recur, and often leaves a narrow esophagus after healing.

3. What is acid reflux?

"Acid reflux" is the common name for gastroesophageal reflux disease. In the past, the medical community believed that this was a gastrointestinal disease that was common in European and American countries, and it was estimated that approximately 44% of Americans suffered from this disease. With the westernization of lifestyle and the increase in obese population, the incidence of this disease has been on the rise in Asia over the past two decades.

The initial symptom of acid reflux is "belching", but it is easy to be ignored. Other typical symptoms include a burning sensation in the pit of your stomach and irritation from acid backing up into your mouth or throat.

In recent years, the number of cases of acid reflux has been increasing. The reason is that people's lives are becoming more and more busy and stressful, their meals are irregular, they eat dinner too late or have the habit of eating supper, and then fall asleep with a full stomach, which makes gastric acid reflux more easily.

How to Prevent Acid Reflux

1. Eat on time and in fixed quantities to maintain the function of the "valve"

Eat regularly, have proper nutrition, don't be too full or too hungry, and eat at regular times and in regular amounts. Eat less or no midnight snacks, and don't work or do strenuous exercise immediately after a meal. Don't eat two hours before going to bed, and keep your head elevated when sleeping to prevent acid reflux.

2. Avoid food stimulation and protect your stomach

Avoid eating frozen or overheated food, and keep the food at a moderate temperature;

Avoid eating too much MSG, spicy and sour food, or overly salty food. Eat light food as strong flavors will stimulate gastric acid secretion.

Avoid eating too much meat, too much oil, and fried food; the diet should mainly consist of easily digestible food, meat should be cooked thoroughly, vegetables should not be half-cooked, and eat less irritating food (strong tea, coffee, wine, chili, curry, etc.), do not eat too hot food or eat too fast.

3. Don’t eat two hours before going to bed

Do not drink beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea;

Try to avoid eating too greasy and sweet foods, such as chocolate and cake, because this type of diet will reduce the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter and increase gastric acid reflux;

Also try to avoid drinking sour fruit juices, such as lemon juice and tomato juice, because these sour drinks will irritate the inflamed esophagus and aggravate the burning sensation and chest pain in the chest.