Acid Reflux Foods

Acid Reflux Backs Up From The Stomach

Acid reflux is a condition/disease in which excessive hydrochloric acid is produced by parietal cells and released into the stomach and this excess acid backs up from the stomach and enters into the lower half of the esophagus. The stomach is a vital organ of the human body.

In the stomach lining, there are parietal cells, which secrete hydrochloric acid required for the digestion of food in the stomach. There are other epithelial cells in the lining of the stomach known as mucus cells that produce mucus. This mucus protects the stomach lining from contact with this hydrochloric acid. The lining of the esophagus is not so much protected as is the stomach's and thus the cells lining the inside of the esophagus are irritated by the acid, although mucus also lines the esophagal walls.

At the junction of the stomach and the esophagus there is a band of muscles. This band of muscles is known as the lower esophagal sphincter. It acts like a valve. Normally, it contracts and prevents gas, food, and acid in the stomach from backing up (refluxing) into the esophagus. In the case of the acid reflux condition/disease, this sphincter relaxes and the gas and acid in the stomach back up (reflux) into the esophagus This reflux of stomach acid into the lower half of the esophagus causes inflammation of the lining of the esophagus as the acid irritates this lining. This condition is also known as esophagitis.

Symptoms of acid reflux Heartburn is the main condition. It is the most profound symptom. Even though it has nothing to do with the heart, it is a burning sensation at the sternum or breastbone as it is also called.

There is pain in the upper abdomen and chest , an acid taste in the mouth, a sick feeling, inflation of the stomach and a burning sensation when you consume hot drinks. The above mentioned symptoms come and go and tend to get worse after a meal. All these symptoms are fairly common.

Some uncommon symptoms can also occur. This makes the diagnosis pretty difficult. These uncommon symptoms include persistent cough, particularly at night .This is due to irritation of the windpipe by the refluxed acid. Asthma symptoms can sometimes occur due to acid reflux. Sometimes a sensation akin to severe chest pain may occur, one that is normally mistaken by the patient as that for a heart attack.

Tests to diagnose acid reflux Tests are conducted, if the patient does not show any specific typical symptoms. Many people are diagnosed with 'probable acid reflux' when they have common symptoms and the symptoms are eased with treatment. Tests become necessary, if the patient has severe symptoms or when these symptoms do not improve with treatment or are not typical of acid reflux.

A test to check the acidity level inside the esophagus may be done, if the diagnosis is not clear.

Alternative tests to rule out heart disease such as chest x-rays and ECG may be conducted, if the symptoms are not clear.

Endoscopy is the usual test. A thin flexible tube that has a telescope (known as an endoscope) is gradually passed down into the stomach through the esophagus cavity. This allows the medical practitioner to look inside the stomach. In case acid reflux is present, the lower part of the esophagus lining looks red and swollen. However, the absence of this redness and swelling still does not rule out acid reflux completely, as some people are very sensitive to hydrochloric acid and can have other symptoms of acid reflux, with little or no inflammation to view.

Complications of acid reflux disease

Cancer: Your risk of developing cancer of the esophagus is slightly increased, if you have long-term acid reflux, as compared to the normal risk. Barrett's oesophagus: In this condition, the cells that line the lower esophagus undergo changes. These cells then become more prone than usual to become malignant, ultimately leading to cancer.

So, it is hoped that the above article about the acid reflux condition/disease may have helped you to have a much better understanding about its various aspects.