Acid Reflux

What causes acid reflux?

Acid reflux is usually caused by a hiatal hernia in the stomach. This happens when the diaphragm becomes trapped below the upper stomach and is unable to keep acid from entering the esophagus. Several factors could put you at risk, as well, such as lying down after eating a large meal or being overweight in general. Certain foods containing levels of citrus or spices, or foods high in fat, can add to the risk of acid reflux.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom of acid reflux is heartburn, when you experience a burning discomfort in your chest and throat areas. Vomiting can happen when the bitter taste of acid seems to present itself in your throat or mouth. Some patients complain of bloating and burping and endless hiccups. As with any symptoms, if you’re experiencing discomfort that causes concern, making an appointment at Central California Surgery immediately.

Can I treat acid reflux by dieting?

Since certain foods cause acid reflux, avoiding them helps in treating the condition. There are several dietary and lifestyle changes that may help alleviate acid reflux, such as:

• Eating smaller but more frequent meals throughout the day.
• Avoiding eating at least 2-3 hours before lying down.
• Dieting and exercising.

Can I treat acid reflux with medication?

It’s not uncommon for men and women suffering from acid reflux to treat their symptoms successfully with over-the-counter medications such as Mylanta, Rolaids, Maalox, and Tums. While helpful, these medications come with their own list of side effects such as constipation or diarrhea that vary from person to person. If over-the-counter medication doesn't help, your health care practitioner at Central California Surgery can prescribe more effective medication.

Is surgery available to treat acid reflux?

While available, surgery is often the last resort for treating acid reflux. Lifestyle changes and medication are successful in fighting the symptoms associated with the condition. If medications can’t provide comfort and acid reflux seems to be interfering with your quality of life, ask your health care practitioner at Central California Surgery if surgery is an option for you.

There are two types of surgeries used to treat acid reflux:

• The placement of a titanium ring around the lower end of the esophagus to prevent acid from backing up.
• Creating an artificial valve from your stomach to fix a hiatal hernia.

The highly-experienced health care practitioners at Central California Surgery exhaust all other treatment options before recommending surgery to cure acid reflux.

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