If you have ever dealt with acid reflux, you know how uncomfortable the condition can be.
Heartburn symptoms can appear for any number of reasons, including consuming food or drink that act as triggers. People often seek out acid reflux treatment in Mission Viejo when they experience acid reflux often or have severe symptoms.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more severe form of acid reflux with symptoms like frequent heartburn that occurs two or more times weekly. Other symptoms may include regurgitating food or liquids, coughing, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, or chest pain, particularly when lying down.
Home Remedies
A popular acid reflux treatment in Mission Viejo is over-the-counter medications like antacids. These easily obtainable medications are designed to neutralize stomach acid that causes uncomfortable symptoms like heartburn. However, they do not address the root cause, which is the relaxing of the esophageal sphincter. This is a band of tissue that is supposed to prevent stomach acids from flowing back into the esophagus. When this happens, acids intrude upon soft tissues and cause pain and discomfort.
There are dozens of available brands of antacids that come in both liquid and tablet forms. One is about as good as the other. They do not always work for everyone, however, and regular use may not be advised. Antacids offer quick, short-term relief by reducing stomach acid. It is not good to consume them regularly, as they can lead to nutritional deficiencies in the long-term.
Complications
Most people think of acid reflux as being a relatively harmless condition. In most cases, this is true. However, chronic acid reflux can lead to complications like the narrowing of the esophagus due to scar tissue forming when the esophagus is in constant contact with stomach acid. This scarring can narrow the esophagus and create difficulty swallowing. Also, ulcers can form in the esophagus due to the constant wearing away of tissue due to stomach acid. This can cause an open sore to develop, which can bleed and cause pain and discomfort, leading to difficulty swallowing. Acid reflux can also lead to precancerous esophageal changes due to stomach acid wearing away the tissues in the lower esophagus. This can increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer, which is why it is important to look for acid reflux treatment in Mission Viejo.
Acid Reflux Treatment in Mission Viejo: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Acid reflux is a medical condition involving the backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus, which irritates sensitive tissues. The condition can be affected by many factors, including medication, lifestyle choices, pregnancy, and weight gain. Acid reflux symptoms may include heartburn, a bitter taste in the mouth, regurgitation of stomach acids, dry cough, chest pain, tightness in the throat, and hoarseness.
If you are seeking acid reflux treatment in Mission Viejo, you may be prescribed H2 blockers to minimize the production of stomach acid reflux. Some popular H2 blockers are Zantac, Pepcid AC, and Tagamet HB.