ENT Specialists are very familiar with a burden that inflicts men and women, as well as the young and old, and that is acid reflux. Patients can experience acid reflux from mild, moderate and severe degrees. When you eat, the food arrives in the stomach by ways of being fed down the muscular tube, or the esophagus. Stomach acid and digestive enzymes are added when the food arrives in the stomach so that the food can be digested. The esophagus has two sphincters, or bands of muscle fibers that close off the tube, that contribute to the contents of your stomach. One sphincter is at the top of the esophagus, connected with the upper throat and the other is at the bottom, connecting with the stomach. Where the term reflux means a “backward or return flow” it usually refers to the backward flow of stomach contents up through the sphincters and into the esophagus or throat. We at ENT Specialists would like to expound further on acid reflux to help you better understand this diagnosis.
Normally, the LES, or the lower esophagus sphincter, closes as soon as food passes through it. When the LES doesn’t close all the way or opens too often, the acid produced by your stomach when the food is introduced, can move up into your esophagus. If this occurs, the chest can feel a burning pain called heartburn. If you experience acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week, you more than likely have acid reflux disease, which is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
Hiatal Hernia, a stomach abnormality, is one common contributing factor of acid reflux disease. When this is to blame, the upper part of the stomach and LES shift above a muscle that separates your stomach from your chest known as the diaphragm. The diaphragm helps contain the acid in our stomach. In hiatal hernia patients, the acid can move up into your esophagus and induce symptoms of acid reflux disease.
– Indulging in excessively large meals
– Lying down right after a meal
– Overweight or obesity
– Consuming heavy meals and lying on your back or bending over at the waist too soon
– Snacking prior to bedtime
– Certain foods such as; citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, or spicy or fatty foods
– Beverages like alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, or tea
– Smoking
– Pregnancy
– Taking medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, certain muscle relaxers, or blood pressure medications
– Heartburn: a burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, or even into your throat
– Regurgitation: a sour or bitter-tasting acid backing up into your throat or mouth
– Bloating
– Bloody or black stools or bloody vomiting
– Burping
– Dysphagia — a narrowing of your esophagus, which creates the sensation of food being stuck in your throat
– Excessive hiccups
– Nausea
– Abnormal weight loss
– Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat
If you suffer from acid reflux, we at the ENT Specialists can help you find a solution to help like be more comfortable. Solutions range from diet and lifestyle changes, medications and surgery. There are two types of surgical treatments used to relieve symptoms of acid reflux disease when other solutions aren’t effective. One procedure involved surgically placing a LINX device ring around the lower end of the esophagus when then prevents stomach content from backing up into the esophagus, and the second procedure is called fundoplication which involves wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the LES. This not only strengthens it and prevents acid reflux but also assists in repairing a hiatal hernia. Call us today to schedule your appointment to determine a custom treatment plan to best meet your needs!
