Gastro reflux - If heartburn begins to occur on a daily basis you need to see your Physician for advise.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux is a condition where the lower oesophageal sphincter (the muscular ring at the lower end of the oesophagus) is abnormally relaxed and allows the stomach's acidic contents to flow back or 'reflux' into the gullet (oesophagus). It can also cause heartburn and pain in the chest. Gastro-oesophageal reflux is a common condition and the most frequent cause of indigestion in the world.

A painful or burning sensation in the upper abdomen or chest, sometimes radiating to the back (heartburn).

The acid reflux may reach the pharynx (throat) and mouth. It is sour and may burn.

A small number of patients have difficulties breathing and suffer from hoarseness because the refluxed fluid irritates the larynx and respiratory tract.
Excess belching is common.

Symptoms typically occur after over eating a large or fatty meal or drinking alcohol.

Lying down, bending over or bending and lifting can all cause reflux.
It is made worse by smoking.

The frequency with which the symptoms occur varies. For most people, they are rare but weekly and daily episodes of refluxes are not uncommon sometimes even 10 times a day.

It is an unpleasant condition that can have a big influence on your lifestyle. Many people feel that their quality of life is lowered by the symptoms. Prolonged exposure to refluxed acid leads to oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus). Long-standing oesophagitis may be complicated by the formation of scar tissue that contracts and results in a narrowing (stricture) in the affected part of the oesophagus. This can make it difficult or even impossible to swallow. It is a serious condition that requires urgent assessment and treatment, but, fortunately, this complication is relatively rare.

It can cause ulceration leading to bleeding and an iron deficiency, which may develop into anaemia due to a chronic blood loss.

The trouble is caused by the faulty oesophageal sphincter, the muscular ring at the lower end of the oesophagus, near the diaphragm. The sphincter is designed to prevent the stomach contents from flowing upward - it functions as one-way valve.
If the sphincter does not work properly, stomach acid flows into the oesophagus. The reflux tendency increases when the stomach contains a lot of gastric juice or food and when there is increased pressure in or on the stomach.

The symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux may be so obvious that no tests are needed. There are others scary test as well but we don't advise to do.
If the doctor is in doubt, or if the symptoms are very troublesome, a gastroscopy will be considered. During the procedure oesophagitis, hiatus hernias, peptic ulcers and other conditions can be either found or ruled out.

Another possibility is to measure the acidity in the lower end of the oesophagus during a 24-hour period. This will give an indication of how often and how long the reflux episodes last.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux can resemble those of a peptic ulcer, chest pains (angina pectoris), muscle pains, back problems, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones, pancreatic disease etc. These conditions will sometimes have to be ruled out before the diagnosis can be made.

How to prevent gastro-oesophageal reflux?

The following changes in lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing reflux: try to reduce stress, try to lose weight if you are overweight avoid large, high-fat meals and bedtime snacks limit coffee intake reduce alcohol consumption stop smoking. When should you take some medication?
If the heartburn is frequent or the symptoms very unpleasant.