Stomach reflux is a phenomenon in which the food consumed by a person, mixed with digestive juices and acids, comes up the track after reaching the stomach. It travels back through the esophagus, which is a muscular tube that helps food pass from the mouth to the stomach for digestion. The food in the semi-solid form gets stuck in this pipe and ferments. The food is passed back into the esophagus instead of the intestines. Reflux can lead to various health problems ranging from minor to major. Stomach reflux may occur due to many reasons.
The high acidity levels of the stomach juices can lead to infection in the esophagus and the development of ulcers in and around the stomach and the esophagus. Infections may be yeast infections such as Candida or more serious infections like Herpes. This reflux can severely damage the esophagus pipe. Stomach reflux can lead to scarring of the stomach linings as well as physical damage to the linings of the esophagus. These symptoms remain unknown if not accompanied by several other symptoms such as nausea, repetitive vomiting (regurgitation), cough, respiratory problems, ear-ache, sore throat, enamel decay in teeth, foul smell of moth, and incessant burps and hiccups. These symptoms of reflux disease are visible for 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
If not treated on time, stomach reflux can lead to a lot of pain and agony due to severe stomach pain. The patient may even refuse to have food. Reflux can also lead to the development of Barrett's esophageal or in worst cases even esophageal cancer. This disease may only be treated by surgery to widen the sphincter (lower esophageal region) otherwise antacids provide relief in immediately conceived disorders.
To treat reflux one should immediately stop consumption of foods that increase the acidity level of the stomach that induces the problem. The foods that cause are alcohol, peppermint, chocolate, citrus and crossovers fruits and vegetables, milk, and milk products. Coffee and smoking are strictly not allowed in stomach reflux. The use of reflux wedges will help in preventing reflux. One must even lose weight and adopt healthy eating habits and avoid eating before bedtime. Do not skip regular appointments with the doctor after being treated. An important note is that reflux can occur both in adults and children.
Stomach reflux is generally seen in people having one of the following conditions - over-weight, obesity, pregnancy, asthma, hiatal hernia, and laryngitis.
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