Both conditions can be profoundly uncomfortable, with Dr Megan Rossi, who has well over half a million followers on Instagram, describing them as ‘no joke’. Whilst it is frequently an uncomfortable nuisance, it can be severe enough to disrupt some people’s everyday lives. The charity Guts UK notes that it can lead to serious complications for certain individuals. One in 10 people with acid reflux develops Barrett’s Oesophagus. This is a condition that can, on rare occasions, develop into cancer of the lower oesophagus, reports SurreyLive.
“Now, some people are more genetically prone to it; others have a physical cause like a hiatus hernia. And then for many, it’s down to a disorder of the gut-brain interaction.
“But, instead of reaching just for medication, I’m a gut health scientist and registered dietitian, and I’ve seen real success with these three first-line strategies:
“Finish eating at least three hours before bed. This gives time for food to move through your stomach instead of sitting heavy and pushing acid upwards through what we call the oesophageal sphincter, that little trapdoor at the top of your stomach.
“Avoid large meals. Big portions simply increase the pressure in your stomach and can force open that trapdoor. Instead, aim for smaller meals spread across the day.
“Address constipation and bloating. Both increase abdominal pressure and make reflux significantly worse. If these are issues for you, I’d start there. And if you have any of these red flags, please do speak to your GP straight away.”
Symptoms
The NHS states the primary symptoms of acid reflux are:
- a cough or hiccups that keep coming back
- a hoarse voice
- bad breath
- bloating and feeling sick
Symptoms are frequently more severe following meals, whilst lying down and when bending forwards. Alongside some of the dietary factors highlighted by Dr Rossi, there are additional triggers that can worsen the condition.
Being a smoker, an expectant mother, or carrying excess weight can all intensify symptoms, as can stress and anxiety, a hiatus hernia, or a stomach ulcer. A hiatus hernia occurs when part of your stomach shifts upwards into your chest, whilst stomach ulcers – also known as peptic or gastric ulcers – are lesions in the stomach.
Proton pump inhibitors are frequently prescribed to manage acid reflux and heartburn. Typically, these medications need to be taken for several weeks before they begin to take effect.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
