From ancient times, man has known that the stomach is the root cause of every disease. Our ancestors knew very well that most diseases start with wrong food choices. Despite this knowledge, inappropriate diets and food choices have led to an increase in gastrointestinal diseases worldwide, including in India.
Given dynamic changes in lifestyle, diseases, and illnesses of the gastrointestinal system have grown in the last decade. As the pace of life keeps quickening, our food habits worsen. We don't even focus much on what we feed our bodies. We are also overly inclined towards processed food. Over time, these bad habits give us health conditions such as acid reflux and other diseases. Acid reflux is a condition that affects significant aspects of our daily life. It deteriorates the quality of our digestive system and our day-to-day lives.
What is Acid Reflux?
More commonly known as heartburn, acid reflux causes a burning sensation in the abdomen and chest. This chronic disease occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe and irritates the lining. If you experience acid reflux more than twice a week, it could indicate GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Acid reflux can take months to resolve. It needs medical attention and may require a medical diagnosis. It is also self-diagnosable if the person is alert about the sensations in their food pipe and other symptoms. The symptoms play a vital role in the diagnosis of this disease. More than 10 million acid reflux cases are reported every year in India. It is also becoming common in the younger generation.
What Causes Acid Reflux?
The stomach contains hydrochloric acid that digests food and removes toxic elements. Hydrochloric acid is powerful and has the potential to digest the organs as well. This fact about the acid may sound quite alarming, but our stomach has a mucus lining that protects it from this acid. However, the oesophagus or the food pipe doesn't have this protective lining. Furthermore, our tummies have a gastroesophageal sphincter, which is a valve between the food pipe and the stomach. It is in the form of rings made of muscle. It prevents food from getting directly into the stomach but does not back up into the oesophagus. When this valve malfunctions, the food starts moving up the food pipe, causing a burning sensation. This sensation is called acid reflux and is one of the leading causes of acidity.
Acid Reflux Risk Factors
Acid reflux can affect people of all ages, sometimes for unknown reasons. It may happen due to lifestyle choices or unpreventable causes.
The risk factors of being affected by acid reflux or GERD include:
- Obesity
- Smoking (active or passive)
- Low levels of physical exercise
- Medications, including drugs for asthma, calcium-channel blockers, antihistamines, painkillers, sedatives, and antidepressants
- Pregnancy
Food and dietary habits that have been linked to acid reflux include:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Fatty foods
- Spicy foods
- Tomatoes and tomato sauces
- Onions and garlic
- Eating large meals
- Lying down within 2-3 hours of eating a meal
- Consuming chocolate, carbonated drinks, and acidic juices
Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux symptoms generally get neglected due to a lack of attention and awareness. People typically take acid reflux symptoms lightly instead of paying more attention. These symptoms are usually suppressed with over-the-counter medications and home remedies.
The symptoms may include burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating. It can worsen when lying down.
Affected individuals may experience burning in the chest, belching, nausea, or regurgitation. Bitter taste, discomfort in the upper abdomen, or dry cough are also common among patients.
Diagnosis of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is commonly known as heartburn, and it usually creates discomfort in the chest. The condition leads to a lot of confusion, fear, and anxiety in patients. Acid reflux is treatable and manageable, but patients usually misunderstand the symptoms as life-threatening conditions.
Due to confusing symptoms, acid reflux is often misinterpreted as other diseases that have chest-related complications, such as:
- Heart attack
- Pneumonia
- Chest wall pain
- Pulmonary embolism
Doctors usually diagnose GERD after analysing the symptoms of heartburn in response to lifestyle changes and acid reflux medication.
GERD may need the following procedures done to determine its presence in the body:
Endoscopy: It is one of the standard methods. It is done by using a flexible tube with a camera and light attached. It helps doctors to see and analyse the interior of the gastrointestinal tract. It includes the oesophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. This procedure helps in diagnosing various conditions and examining abnormalities. It also helps in obtaining tissue samples if necessary.
Biopsy: During an endoscopy or other procedures, a biopsy is done. It usually helps in a deeper analysis of a condition. A small tissue sample is removed from the body for examination under a microscope. This sample is analysed and seen in a lab to determine the presence of any irregularities, contaminations, or sicknesses.
Barium X-ray: This imaging method includes drinking a dusty or chalky fluid containing barium. It is a differentiation material noticeable on X-ray. After an individual takes it, X-rays are taken to see the inner parts of the throat, stomach, and upper duodenum. Barium covers the coating of these organs. It helps to feature their construction and any abnormalities. It lets specialists see and recognise ulcers, cancers, or blockages.
Esophageal Manometry: It's a demonstrative test utilised to quantify the tensions and capability of the throat. A flimsy, adaptable tube is embedded into the nose or mouth and afterwards guided into the throat to evaluate its capacity to move food and fluids into the stomach. This test helps diagnose some conditions, such as oesophageal spasms, achalasia, motility disorders, and GERD.
24-hour pH Impedance Monitoring: This test measures the acidity or pH levels within the oesophagus over 24 hours. A thin tube is inserted through the nose into the lower oesophagus to measure acid reflux. The procedure also measures impedance, detecting the movement of liquids or gasses in the oesophagus. It helps diagnose Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and assess the severity of acid reflux. It is an accurate method and helps a lot with inadequate treatment.
All of these procedures are essential for the diagnosis of GERD. They help while evaluating various conditions and provide valuable information about the condition of the patients. These tests help the doctor to create a more effective treatment plan for their patients.
Treatment of Acid Reflux
Various methods are adopted for acid reflux treatment, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers. These are safe and effective medications that decrease acid production and reduce the risk of damage caused by acid reflux.
They usually contain chemical compounds such as calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, aluminium, and magnesium hydroxide. These compounds provide rapid but short-term relief, functioning as a temporary treatment for acidity.
The alginic acid in alginate antacids works by accumulating a foamy gel at the top of the gastric pool. The acid reflux becomes less harmful as the food pipe is prevented from coming in contact with harmful stomach acids.
Other treatment methods include:
- Sucralfate acid suppressants
- Potassium-competitive acid blockers
- Transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) reducers
- GABA (B) receptor agonist
- mGluR5 antagonist
- Prokinetic agents
- Pain modulators
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Theophylline, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Lifestyle measures such as improving posture, for instance, sitting up straighter and maintaining a healthy weight, may also help.
Complications Associated With the Condition
GERD can lead to severe complications in the long term, which include:
- Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses; adult-onset asthma
- Acid regurgitation into the lungs
- Esophagitis, or inflammation, swelling, or irritation of the oesophagus
- Oesophageal stricture, or narrowing of the oesophagus
- Esophageal ulcers or bleeding
- Barrett's Oesophagus, which is a condition involving precancerous changes to the oesophagus
- Oesophageal cancer
These complications arise from delay or ignorance in the treatment of GERD. One of the most severe complications is oesophagus cancer. It can result in lifetime complications and has a low survival rate.
Conclusion
Acid reflux is a common ailment that can assume severe proportions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease if ignored for a long time. The diagnosis and treatment of GERD is expensive, and it is a chronic disease that needs prolonged treatment. Amidst such scenarios, opting for health insurance is smart as it helps manage finances, regular and unforeseen, enabling a stress-free life. Take the case of individuals who regularly experience acid reflux. If they proactively try eliminating the condition early on, unnecessary expenses will not happen. However, the highly hectic nature of today's lifestyle can push seemingly harmless illnesses such as acid reflux into the background. Having health insurance ensures you are financially prepared for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like GERD, providing peace of mind and access to quality healthcare when needed.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.