What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of the esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into your esophagus.
Acid reflux is common and may occasionally occur after eating a large meal or spicy food. If you experience acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic gastrointestinal condition.
When left untreated, GERD may damage the delicate tissue that lines your esophagus and increase your risk of developing esophageal strictures (narrowing), esophagitis (inflammation), or esophageal cancer.
What are acid reflux symptoms?
Acid reflux symptoms vary in type and severity. In some cases, you may not associate your symptoms with acid reflux.
Common signs and symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Heartburn
- Chest pain
- Bad taste in the back of the mouth
- Erosion of the enamel on your teeth
- Frequent coughing
- Laryngitis
- Difficulty swallowing
- Feeling as though you have something stuck in your throat
Your symptoms may occur during the day or at night.
When should I seek medical help for my acid reflux?
You can manage occasional acid reflux symptoms with over-the-counter antacid medication. However, you should seek help for your acid reflux from New York Specialty Clinics if your symptoms occur frequently or your acid reflux affects your sleep.
You should always seek immediate medical care if you experience chest pain.
How is acid reflux treated?
New York Specialty Clinics creates individualized treatment plans for acid reflux based on the severity and frequency of your symptoms.
Initially, your provider may suggest lifestyle changes to alleviate the frequency of your reflux, such as:
- Eating smaller meals
- Not eating two to three hours before you go to bed at night
- Weight loss
- Limiting intake of foods that increase reflux (spicy food, fatty food, caffeine)
If lifestyle changes fail to alleviate your symptoms, your provider may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medication to reduce acidity in your stomach, such as antacids or H-2 receptor blockers.
The multispecialty clinic may also recommend an upper endoscopy to evaluate your esophagus and stomach to confirm or rule out serious damage. New York Specialty Clinics schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your symptoms and adjust your plan as needed.
To get relief from your acid reflux, call New York Specialty Clinics, or schedule an appointment online today.
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