How Acid Reflux is Diagnosed
It's not uncommon to have the occasional bout of acid reflux, but if you have symptoms regularly (twice a week, or more), or if the typical remedies don't work, you may need to see your doctor for a complete diagnosis.
In assessing you, a doctor can administer any of the following tests:
- Barium swallow (esophagram) -- This is a type of X-ray that can identify any narrowing of the esophagus.
- Esophageal manometry -- This test is used to check the function of the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter, to make sure it's closing properly.
- pH monitoring -- Using this test, your doctor can check for the presence of stomach acid in your esophagus, and measure how much exists.
- Upper Endoscopy -- This test involves inserting a long, flexible, lighted tube down your throat to check for problems in your esophagus or stomach.
- A biopsy -- Your doctor may want to check samples of tissue from your esophagus for infection or abnormalities.
Risk Factors You Need To Know
Almost half the population suffers from acid reflux at least once a month. And while people of all ages are susceptible, there are a number of factors that increase your chances of developing acid reflux, and even GERD.
These are other common risk factors for acid reflux disease:
- Eating patterns -- People who eat heavy meals and then lie on their backs, or who snack at bedtime, are at high risk of acid reflux.
- Obesity -- Excess body fat can push on the stomach, increasing gastric pressure. It can also lessen the effectiveness of the lower esophageal sphincter.
- Diet -- A diet high in certain foods and beverages, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, spicy or fatty foods, coffee or tea, often leads to acid reflux.
- Alcohol use -- Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, and in high amounts, may irritate the mucus membrane of the esophagus.
- Smoking -- Smoking stimulates the production of stomach acid, and can also relax the esophageal sphincter. It can also reduce the amount of acid-neutralizing chemicals found in saliva.
- Pregnancy -- Pregnancy can soften the ligaments that keep the LES tightly closed. As well, the added pressure on the stomach can force stomach contents through the LES into the esophagus.
Important Lifestyle Changes You Can Make Today
There are a number of lifestyles changes you can make right now that can greatly reduce
-- or even eliminate -- acid reflux:
- Eat at least 2-3 hours before bed time -- This will give food time to digest and empty from your stomach. Acid levels will also have time to decrease before you put your body in a position where heartburn is more likely to occur.
- Limit portion sizes -- Decrease the size of portions at meal times, or try eating four to five small meals instead of three large ones.
- Eat more slowly
- Manage your diet -- Avoid foods and beverages that trigger your symptoms (such as onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeine, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes, or high-fat foods).
- Lose weight -- If you are overweight, losing weight can help relieve your symptoms.
- Quit smoking -- Nicotine can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, which prevents the acid-containing contents of your stomach from entering the esophagus.
- Quit drinking alcohol
- Raise the head of your bed -- Placing six-inch blocks under the bed posts at the head of the bed will help you take advantage of gravity to keep stomach acid from flowing upward.
- Avoid taking antacids as these create a hostile environment for digestive enzymes and actually trigger the release of MORE hydrochloric acid to digest your food.
- Supplement digestive enzymes to help break the vicious cycle of too much stomach acid!
