Acid reflux is a common issue where stomach acid flows back into your food pipe, causing a burning sensation in your chest and throat—known as heartburn. Many experience occasional symptoms, but if you have it regularly you may have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
What are the symptoms of acid reflux?
Acid reflux can cause various symptoms, often starting with a burning sensation in your chest after eating or lying down. This discomfort may extend up to your throat, accompanied by a sour taste.
Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Coughing (specially at night or after meals)
- Hoarse voice
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
What are the causes of acid reflux?
Most people get heartburn every so often, and it’s usually nothing to be worried about.
Here are the most common causes:
- Eating spicy, fatty, or acidic food
- Overeating or lying down after eating
- Smoking cigarettes
- Having stress or anxiety
- Being overweight
- Being pregnant
- Stomach ulcers
- Hiatal hernias
How to treat acid reflux?
Thankfully, it’s usually quite easy to improve acid reflux through making simple changes.
Here’s what you can do:
- Avoid eating trigger foods
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Don’t lay down after eating
- Try to lose weight if you’re overweight
- Quit smoking
- Stop drinking too much alcohol
- Take antacids (like Rennies
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