What Can I Take For Stomach Acid

Causes Of Heartburn And Acid Reflux

Lots of people get heartburn from time to time. There’s often no obvious reason why.

Sometimes it’s caused or made worse by:

• certain food and drink such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods
• being overweight
• an increase in some types of hormones, such as progesterone and oestrogen
• some medicines, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers
• a hiatus hernia when part of your stomach moves up into your chest

What Causes Acid Reflux And Whom Does It Affect

The circular band of muscle at the bottom of the gullet normally prevents acid leaking up . Problems occur if the sphincter does not work very well. This is common but in most cases it is not known why it does not work so well. In some cases the pressure in the stomach rises higher than the sphincter can withstand – for example, during pregnancy, after a large meal, or when bending forward. If you have a hiatus hernia , you have an increased chance of developing reflux. See the separate leaflet called Hiatus Hernia for more details.

Most people have heartburn at some time, perhaps after a large meal. However, about 1 adult in 3 has some heartburn every few days, and nearly 1 adult in 10 has heartburn at least once a day. In many cases it is mild and soon passes. However, it is quite common for symptoms to be frequent or severe enough to affect quality of life. Regular heartburn is more common in smokers, pregnant women, heavy drinkers, those who are overweight and those aged between 35 and 64 years.

What Tests Are There For A Stomach Ulcer

If your doctor thinks you may have a stomach ulcer, the initial tests will include some blood tests. These tests will help to check whether you have become anaemic because of any bleeding from the ulcer. The blood test will also check to see that your liver and pancreas are working properly.

The main tests that are then used to diagnose a stomach ulcer are as follows:

• A test to detect the H. pylori germ is usually done if you have a stomach ulcer. The H. pylori bacterium can be detected in a sample of stool , or in a breath test, or from a blood test, or from a biopsy sample taken during a gastroscopy. See the separate leaflet called Helicobacter Pylori for more details.
• Gastroscopy is the test that can confirm a stomach ulcer. Gastroscopy is usually done as an outpatient day case. You may be given a sedative to help you to relax. In this test, a doctor looks inside your stomach by passing a thin, flexible telescope down your gullet . The doctor will then be able to see any inflammation or ulcers in your stomach.
• Small samples are usually taken of the tissue in and around the ulcer during gastroscopy. These are sent to the laboratory to be looked at under the microscope. This is important because some ulcers are caused by stomach cancer. However, most stomach ulcers are not caused by cancer.

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Is It Just Heartburn Or Gerd

Frequent heartburn can be a major issue. If you experience heartburn two or more times a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease .

In this chronic condition, frequent exposure to stomach acid irritates and damages the esophagus. Over time, that can lead to problems such as difficulty swallowing. An estimated 40 percent of Americans report symptoms of GERD but the condition can significantly improve with lifestyle changes.

If youve tried home remedies and lifestyle adjustments and still have frequent heartburn, consult with your family doctor or a gastroenterologist. There are multiple treatments that can help, including medications and minimally invasive surgery for acid reflux.

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• Take the burn out of heartburn
• Symptoms of GERD

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Causes And Risk Factors Of Peptic Ulcers

For a long time, it was believed that spicy foods or stress led to peptic ulcers but doctors now know that this isnât the case.

In fact, the most common causes of ulcers are:

• Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria that can infect your stomach
• Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as aspirin, Advil or Motrin , and Aleve , which can wear away at the mucus layer of the digestive tract

Certain factors can put a person at a greater risk of developing a peptic ulcer, including:

• Taking high doses of NSAIDs
• Using NSAIDs continuously over a long period of time

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What Happens If Your Stomach Acid Is Too Low

One of the most noticeable effects of low stomach acid is the way it messes with your ability to digest nutrientsespecially protein .

Without enough stomach acid, your body cant break proteins into digestible amino acids, Zellner says. This can create a protein deficiency, which then leads to a deficiency in vitamin B12, magnesium, and iron. When you dont get enough of these nutrients, both mild and severe health issues can crop up.

Vitamin B12, for example, needs help from stomach acid to detach from the protein that carries it. If it doesnt detach, it cant bind with other substances that carry it through your intestinal wall and into your bloodstream, Zellner says.

Your body needs both B12 and iron for healthy red blood cells and if youre extremely low in these nutrients, you may develop anemia, a condition that happens when you lack enough healthy red blood cells. You may feel weak and fatigued, experience constipation, and in more serious cases, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.

Another common side effect of low stomach acid is heartburn. That slow, painful burn you feel in your chest happens when your stomach acid back flows into your esophagus.

At healthy levels, stomach acid also has disinfecting properties, helping prevent harmful bacteria from invading the rest of your GI tract. This means that as your stomach acid levels dip, your risk of GI infections goes up, according to a review in the Journal of Food Protection.

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Can A Peptic Ulcer Come Back

Yes, a peptic ulcer can come back. If you smoke or take NSAIDs, peptic ulcers are more likely to come back. If you need to take an NSAID, your doctor may switch you to a different medicine or add medicines to help prevent a peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcer disease can return, even if you have been careful to reduce your risk.

You Dont Need Medication To Reduce Stomach Acid

Contrary to popular belief, you dont need medication to reduce stomach acid. This is great for those who want to stay away from pharmaceutical products or cant take them for whatever reason. The methods above are all suitable for those will low immune systems and pregnant women.

Its time to pull out the ginger and oatmeal and start changing the way you eat your meals. Youll soon find that stomach acid is no longer a problem.

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What Medications Do I Take To Manage The Symptoms Of Gerd

Many over-the-counter and prescription medications relieve GERD. Most of OTC drugs come in prescription strength too. Your provider will give you a prescription for these stronger drugs if youre not getting relief from the OTC formulas.

The most common GERD medications:

• Antacids include Tums®, Rolaids®, Mylanta®, Riopan® and Maalox®.
• H-2 receptor blockers include Tagamet®, Pepcid AC®, Axid AR® and Zantac®.
• Proton pump inhibitors include Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Zegerid®, Nexium®, Protonix®, AcipHex® and Dexilant®.
• Baclofen is a prescription drug used to reduce the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter which allows acid backwash.

How To Use Baking Soda For Acid Reflux

Always ask your doctor for instructions if youre unsure about the dosage of baking soda you should use for treating acid reflux symptoms. The amount of baking soda recommended is based on age.

Baking soda is meant to provide short-term relief, and isnt intended as a long-term treatment for acid stomach symptoms.

The recommended dose of sodium bicarbonate powder is:

Remember, too much baking soda can cause acid rebound and make your symptoms worse. Youll also want to make sure the baking soda is completely dissolved in at least 4 ounces of water, and sipped slowly.

Baking soda is intended to be used for immediate relief of heartburn and indigestion, but not for regular use or treatment of GERD. See your doctor if your acid reflux lasts more than 2 weeks. Your doctor may recommend other medications like H2 blockers or PPIs.

Ask your doctor if baking soda is a good alternative treatment for you. Theyll be able to tell you if baking soda will interact with your medications or increase your sodium levels.

See a doctor immediately if you have severe stomach pains after taking your dosage.

Pregnant women and children under the age of 6 should avoid baking soda for acid reflux treatment.

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How Soon After Treatment Will I Feel Better

If you take all medicines as prescribed and avoid irritating the ulcer with NSAIDs, alcohol or smoking, your ulcer should heal well within a few weeks. Surgical cases may take a few weeks more. Your healthcare provider will follow up with you at the end of your course of medication to make sure the ulcer has healed and any infection has cleared. They will probably take follow-up tests, including an upper endoscopy to look at the site of the ulcer and tests for H. pylori, if you had it, to make sure the infection is gone.

What Causes Too Much Stomach Acid

Most people who experience excessive stomach acid symptoms complain about a burning sensation from the start. Well look at excess stomach acid symptoms in detail, but first, lets consider what causes excessive stomach acid.

Acid can build up in the stomach due to diet, excessive alcohol consumption, abnormally high acid production, or it can simply be hereditary. When excess stomach acid goes untreated, it can lead to ulcers. Diet plays a big role in controlling stomach acid too. There are certain foods that cause more acid and others that are better tolerated. Heres a look at what causes excess stomach acid, starting with food.

In most cases, symptoms of excess stomach acid can be attributed to diet. It can be helpful for people to keep a food journal, which enables them to pinpoint what food or foods are bothersome. Once certain culprits are identified, it is simply a matter of eliminating those foods from the diet to find relief.

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Stomach Cancer And Other Conditions Associated With H Pylori

H pylori is strongly associated with certain cancers. Some studies have also linked it to a number of non-gastrointestinal illnesses, although the evidence is inconsistent.

Stomach Cancers

Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In developing countries, where the rate of H pylori is very high, the risk of stomach cancer is six times higher than in the United States. Evidence now suggests that H pylori may be as carcinogenic to the stomach as cigarette smoke is to the lungs.

Infection with H pylori promotes a precancerous condition called atrophic gastritis. The process most likely starts in childhood. It may lead to cancer through the following steps:

• The stomach becomes chronically inflamed and loses patches of glands that secrete protein and acid.
• New cells replace destroyed cells. But the new cells do not produce enough acid to protect against carcinogens.
• Over time, cancer cells may develop and multiply in the stomach.

Although the evidence is mixed, some research suggests that early elimination of H pylori may reduce the risk of stomach cancer to that of the general population. It is important to follow patients after treatment for a long period of time.

Other Diseases

H pylori also is weakly associated with other non-intestinal disorders, including migraine headache, Raynaud disease , and skin disorders such as chronic hives.

When To See A Doctor

Many cases of mild acid reflux can be managed at home or with OTC medication.

But if you experience any of the below symptoms, reach out to your health care provider for customized medical advice:

• Shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain that radiates to the neck, jaw, or arm
• Chest pain with stress or exertion
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Heartburn or acid reflux symptoms that last longer than two weeks

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Dont Drink Too Much Citrus Juice

Many types of citrus juice, including orange juice and grapefruit juice, are considered common triggers for heartburn .

These ingredients are highly acidic and contain compounds like ascorbic acid, which could cause indigestion if you consume them in large amounts .

In addition to being acidic, certain compounds found in citrus juice could irritate the lining of the esophagus .

While citrus juice probably doesnt cause acid reflux directly, it could make your heartburn worse temporarily.

Summary

Some people with acid reflux report that drinking citrus juice makes their symptoms worse. Certain compounds in citrus juice, in addition to acids, can also irritate the lining of the esophagus.

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How Is Gerd Diagnosed

Usually your provider can tell if you have simple acid reflux by talking with you about your symptoms and medical history. You and your provider can talk about controlling your symptoms through diet and medications.

If these strategies dont help, your provider may ask you to get tested for GERD. Tests for GERD include:

How To Get Rid Of Acid Reflux In Throat

The burning sensation and uneasiness can cause a lot of discomforts, and you might immediately wish to visit the doctor to get it cured. But before you head out, look in your kitchen.

There you would find many ingredients that can alleviate the problem immediately. Following are the most effective natural ways to get rid of acid reflux in throat fast:

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A Pharmacist Can Help With Heartburn And Acid Reflux

Speak to a pharmacist for advice if you keep getting heartburn.

They may recommend medicines called antacids that can help ease your symptoms.

It’s best to take these with food or soon after eating, as this is when you’re most likely to get heartburn. They may also work for longer if taken with food.

Although antacids help symptoms in the short term, they will not cure the problem and should not be taken regularly for long periods.

If youre pregnant, a pharmacist can advise you about medicines you can take.

Tips For Controlling Your Acid Reflux Symptoms

After binging on spicy pizza or greasy onion rings, anyone can suffer from occasional indigestion resulting in acid reflux. Thats the uncomfortable sometimes painful condition when your stomach acid, and even food, creep back up into your esophagus. But if you get hit with heartburn a couple times a week or more, you may be experiencing a chronic form of acid reflux called gastroesophageal reflux disease .

If you live in or near the Fairfax or South Riding, Virginia, communities, youre in luck. Dr. Chethana Rao at Prima Medicine is an expert on acid reflux. She can help you solve your acid reflux issues with fast-acting medications, long-term treatments, or both.

Meanwhile, there are some simple ways you may be able to ease your own symptoms. Here are 7 lifestyle changes that may reduce or eliminate your acid reflux symptoms.

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