Coping with HEARTBURN AND ACID REFLUX

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is where stomach acids leak up into the oesophagus

- Dr Gill Jenkins

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) usually occurs as a result of the ring of muscle, a sphincter, between the stomach and oesophagus (gullet) being weak. Stomach acid refluxes back up the gullet, causing symptoms such as heartburn and an unpleasant taste in the back of the mouth. For some, it’s just an occasional nuisance but for others it can be a severe, lifelong problem.

Symptoms include heartburn – an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest, often after eating. Or acid reflux – where stomach acid comes back up into your mouth and causes a sour, burning taste (waterbrash). Or oesophagitis – a sore, inflamed oesophagus. They can also include bad breath, nausea, bloating and belching, or difficulty swallowing, chronic cough or gum disease.

Factors increasing your GORD risk include being overweight, smoking, or consuming large amounts of fatty food, chocolate, coffee or alcohol. Other causes include hiatus hernia – when part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm muscle between the chest and tummy, and gastroparesis – when the stomach takes longer to get rid of stomach acid. Certain medicines, especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, can cause GORD too, and it can run in families. Your GP will usually diagnose it from symptoms but may do blood tests, including for anaemia. Most management is through lifestyle changes or over-thecounter medication to neutralise stomach acid (antacids) or reduce acid production.