Gastric Reflux
Acid (Gastric) Reflux Disease
A common cause of gastric reflux disease is a hiatus hernia, which is a stomach abnormality. A hiatus hernia is when the upper part of your stomach and lower oesophagus pushes up above the diaphragm into your chest.
The diaphragm is the muscle that separates your stomach from your chest. It keeps acid in the stomach – but if you have a hiatal hernia, acid is able to move up into your oesophagus. When this happens, you will experience the symptoms of acid reflux disease.
The most common symptoms of acid reflux disease are heartburn and regurgitation. If you have had the symptoms more than two times a week, or if over-the-counter mediation has not helped, contact IPSA for an appointment with one of our experienced doctors.
Acid Reflux Treatment at IPSA
At the IPSA clinic you will be seen by our resident doctor in a clean, quiet and confidential environment. We can offer you an appointment immediately at a time to suit you, and our doctors will always take your symptoms seriously.
We will give you a full consultation to assess your symptoms, and an examination to exclude any serious causes for the symptoms.
Depending on your symptoms and the trigger, we may offer you a range of treatments including anti-sickness medication, antacids, PPIs, alginates or H2 antagonists.
Our doctor may also discuss other causes of gastric reflux and may recommend further tests such as blood or stool samples to rule out gastric ulcers. If you need any tests, we can do this immediately during your consultation.
We will also go through a diet plan and recommend measures you can use to help control your symptoms in the most effective way.
If you have any further worries or questions when you go home with your treatment, our doctors will be available by phone. We can also provide medical sick notes if needed.
What Causes Acid Reflux Disease?
A hiatus hernia is a common cause of acid reflux disease but there are other common risk factors too.
- Being overweight or obesity
- Lying on your back or bending over at the waist after eating a heavy meal
- Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal
- Snacking close to bedtime
- Certain foods such as citrus, chocolate, mint, tomato, onions, garlic, or spicy or fatty foods
- Some drinks, such as coffee, tea, alcohol and carbonated drinks
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Taking certain muscle relaxers, aspirin, ibuprofen, or blood pressure medications
Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Here are some of the symptoms of acid reflux disease:
- Heartburn: This is a pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach up to your abdomen, chest, or throat
- Regurgitation: This is when acid backs up into your throat or mouth and produces a sour or bitter taste
- Burping
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat
- The sensation of food being stuck in your throat. This happens when your oesophagus narrows
- Bloody or black stools
- Bloody vomiting
- Persistent hiccups
- Unexplained weight loss
Call IPSA for an appointment with a doctor if you have symptoms of acid reflux or other stomach problems. We offer same-day consultations and for your peace of mind, following your appointment we offer full accessibility to our doctor by phone.
Contact IPSA today or book your appointment online.
