Acid reflux is an illness caused due to the frequent occurrence of the backwash of acids released by the stomach into the esophagus tube. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter acts as a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus. However, when there is a small opening or non-functionality of the wall, the acids released by the stomach enter into the esophagus tube irritating.
While the occurrence is common for human beings if the symptoms are repetitive and occur more than twice in a week than you are suffering from acid reflux, also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease.
Casual or Persistent Acid Reflux
It is common for a human being to possess the symptoms of acid reflux from time to time. It is because of the consumption of food, surrounding environments, and the use of medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen occasionally.
However, a few people experience and show the acid reflux symptoms consistently. For instance, the heartburn occurs repetitively or immediately after consumption of a meal or drinking a particular fluid. In such cases, it requires immediate medical attention, as the underlying cause could be more than just acid reflux.
What Can Cause Constant Acid Reflux?
One of the major causes of constant acid reflux is a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is an illness where the lower esophageal sphincter and the upper part of the stomach are unaligned and move away from the diaphragm. The muscle or the lower esophageal sphincter acts as a wall and ensures that the acids produced in the stomach do not enter the esophagus. Nevertheless, when a person suffers from a hiatal hernia, the symptoms showed are high and often constant.
Other causes for constant acid reflux include:
- Consuming larger meals and lying down immediately after the meal can cause constant acid reflux.
- Excessive weight or over presence of fat in the belly region that is increasing the pressure on the abdomen region
- Bending down after eating a heavy meal or lying on the back
- Eating a snack before heading to bedtime
- Eating foods that are rich in citrus content such as onions, tomatoes, chocolate, garlic, mint, & spicy – foods
- Consuming aerated and alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea
- Smoking
- Lactose intolerant
- Being pregnant
- Certain pain killers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and blood pressure medicines can cause constant acid reflux.
Symptoms of Constant Acid Reflux
With constant acid reflux, a person experiences severe heartburn and sour taste in the mouth at all times. If left untreated, the acids that rise into the esophagus destroy the tube, making it impossible to revive it. In some cases, it even leads to cancer. Other symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Burping
- Hiccups
- Nausea
- Weight loss without a particular reason
- Dry cough
- Hoarseness
- A persistent sore throat.
Treatment for Constant Acid Reflux
The treatment for acid reflux is possible only when you understand the exact reason behind it. A better way to understand it is by visiting a doctor and speaking openly about the signs and symptoms. In few cases, the physician will also ask for health record of family history. All these important details will help the doctor rule out unwanted factors that are the cause of constant acid reflux.
Depending on the result, the doctor will ask you to change the lifestyle, add exercises, avoid foods, and consume medicines for a while. If there is a positive change, he will ask you to slowly withdraw the medications and continue to follow the lifestyle and food changes, which will help you, prevent the occurrence of the acid reflux as a constant case.
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