Acid Reflux in Honolulu, HI
If you’ve ever eaten really spicy food or fried food and started feeling burning sensations and chest pain, you’ve dealt with acid reflux. Acid reflux happens when the valve at the end of your esophagus doesn’t close properly after dropping food at the stomach. This can cause acid to travel up your esophagus and causes discomfort and irritation. It’s important to learn what triggers your acid reflux and find out how you can manage it.
What Causes Acid Reflux?
There are many different causes of acid reflux, and it can be caused by other abnormalities or life changes. A common cause of acid reflux is something known as a hiatal hernia. This is when the upper part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm. The diaphragm is meant to help keep acid in the stomach, but with a hiatal hernia, acid can move up into the esophagus and cause acid reflux.
You can also experience acid reflux because of reasons like:
- Laying down after a meal
- Being overweight
- Eating close to bedtime
- Eating trigger foods like citrus, tomato, spicy foods, or fatty foods
- Drinking alcohol
- Drinking coffee
- Smoking
- Being pregnant
What Are Symptoms of Acid Reflux?
The most common symptom is heartburn, which is a burning sensation that can move from your stomach to your chest or throat. You might also experience regurgitation of a sour or bitter-tasting acid in the back of your throat.
It’s also common to experience persistent burping, bloating, hiccups, nausea, or feeling like there’s food stuck in your throat.
Treating Acid Reflux
The most effective way to treat acid reflux is with lifestyle changes. You can eat smaller meals throughout the day and wait at least 2 hours before laying down after eating. You should also exercise regularly and stop smoking and drinking. Antacids can also help with symptoms that you’re experiencing.
In severe cases where lifestyle changes don’t help, your doctor may recommend surgery.