Acid Reflux or GERD? Signs, Triggers, and Treatment Options
Acid Reflux or GERD? Signs, Triggers, and Treatment Options
Is Frequent Heartburn Interrupting Your Life?
That burning feeling in your chest after a meal may be more than simple indigestion. Acid reflux can also cause a sour taste, coughing, throat irritation or trouble sleeping.
Occasional acid reflux is common. However, symptoms that happen often may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD.
GERD is a long-term digestive condition that should not be ignored. The good news is that several treatment options are available. Robert Johnson, MD, FACS, FASMBS, provides specialized acid reflux and GERD care at CCM Health.
What Is Acid Reflux?
Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. A small ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus acts like a valve. It opens when food enters your stomach and should close when you are done swallowing.
Acid reflux happens when this valve becomes weak or relaxes at the wrong time. Stomach acid and food can then move backward into the esophagus.
Unlike the stomach, the esophagus does not have a strong protective lining. When acid reaches it, you may feel burning, pain or irritation.
What Is the Difference Between Acid Reflux and GERD?
Acid reflux describes the backward movement of stomach contents into the esophagus. It may happen once in a while after a large meal or after lying down too soon after eating.
GERD is ongoing acid reflux. Symptoms may happen several times a week, continue for a long period or interfere with eating, sleeping and daily activities.
Without proper treatment, GERD may lead to inflammation, scarring or narrowing of the esophagus. It can also increase the risk of Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that changes the tissue lining the esophagus.
Common Symptoms of Acid Reflux and GERD
Heartburn is the most recognized symptom, but reflux can affect people in different ways. Symptoms may include:
- Burning pain in the chest or upper stomach
- A bitter or sour taste in the mouth
- Food or liquid coming back into the throat
- Trouble swallowing or pain while swallowing
- A feeling that food is stuck
- Frequent coughing or throat clearing
- A sore throat or hoarse voice
- Nausea or bloating
- Chest discomfort after eating
- Symptoms that become worse when lying down
- Waking during the night because of reflux
Talk with a healthcare provider when these symptoms happen often, continue despite medication or begin affecting your quality of life.
New or unexplained chest pain should not automatically be treated as heartburn. Call 911 for chest pressure or pain that may come with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness or discomfort in the arms, back, neck or jaw.
Foods and Habits That May Trigger Acid Reflux
Reflux triggers are different for each person. Keeping a record of what you eat and when symptoms happen may help you find patterns.
Common triggers may include:
- Fried, greasy or high-fat foods
- Tomato sauce and other tomato-based foods
- Oranges, grapefruit and other citrus fruits
- Coffee and other caffeinated drinks
- Carbonated beverages
- Chocolate
- Peppermint
- Spicy foods
- Alcohol
- Large meals
- Eating shortly before bedtime
You may not need to remove every food on this list. Pay attention to the foods that affect you and discuss major diet changes with your healthcare provider.
Foods That May Be Easier on Your Stomach
A balanced eating plan with lean protein, vegetables, whole grains and lower-acid fruits may help reduce symptoms.
Options may include:
- Oatmeal
- Brown rice
- Melons
- Green vegetables
- Baked or grilled chicken
- Fish
- Bananas
- Whole-grain breads
- Non-citrus fruits
Cooking methods can also make a difference. Baked, grilled or broiled foods may be easier to tolerate than fried foods.
Simple Ways to Reduce Acid Reflux
Lifestyle changes may provide relief for mild or occasional symptoms. Consider these steps:
- Eat smaller meals instead of a few large meals.
- Avoid lying down soon after eating.
- Eat your evening meal several hours before bedtime.
- Stay upright after meals.
- Limit foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms.
- Avoid tight clothing around your waist.
- Stop smoking or using tobacco.
- Limit alcohol.
- Work toward a healthy weight when recommended by your provider.
Over-the-counter medications may help with occasional symptoms. However, taking heartburn medication often without talking to a provider may hide an ongoing problem. Your healthcare team can help you understand which medication is appropriate and how long you should take it.
When Should You See a Reflux Specialist?
Schedule an evaluation when you have:
- Heartburn or reflux several times a week
- Symptoms that continue while taking medication
- Trouble swallowing
- Food that feels stuck
- Frequent regurgitation
- Ongoing coughing, hoarseness or throat irritation
- Symptoms that regularly wake you at night
- Unexplained weight loss
- Repeated vomiting
- Blood in vomit or black, tar-like stool
A reflux specialist can look beyond the symptoms to identify what is causing them.
Dr. Robert Johnson Can Help You Find Relief
Dr. Robert Johnson specializes in diagnosing and treating acid reflux, GERD, hiatal hernias, swallowing disorders and other conditions involving the esophagus and upper digestive system.
“Frequent heartburn is more than a nuisance. It may be a sign of a number of underlying issues,” said Dr. Johnson. “The first step is understanding why the symptoms are happening. From there, we can choose a treatment plan that fits the patient and aims for lasting relief.”
Because every patient is different, Dr. Johnson begins with a careful review of symptoms, health history and previous treatments. When needed, testing may include an upper endoscopy, acid monitoring, esophageal manometry or a barium swallow study.
Treatment may include changes to eating habits, medication management, advanced endoscopy or minimally invasive surgery. Surgery is not the first or only choice. The goal is to match treatment with the cause and severity of each patient’s reflux.
Dr. Johnson is fellowship-trained in advanced gastrointestinal, bariatric and minimally invasive surgery. He provides specialized reflux and foregut care close to home for patients throughout southwest and western Minnesota.
Take the Next Step Toward Heartburn Relief
You do not have to plan your meals, sleep or daily activities around acid reflux. If frequent heartburn, regurgitation or swallowing problems are affecting your life, talk with the CCM Health reflux and foregut care team.
Call (320) 269-8877 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Johnson or complete the CCM Health Reflux and Foregut Surgery Interest Form. A patient navigator can answer your questions and help you understand your next steps.
A referral is not required. Appointments are available through CCM Health in Montevideo and Clara City.