What can cause acid reflux?
Acid reflux symptoms can occur or be accompanied by the following:
1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, including reflux esophagitis and non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease;
2. After gastric or esophagectomy;
3. Other benign diseases of the esophagus and stomach, such as achalasia, post-esophageal injury, eosinophilic esophagitis, etc.;
4. Tumors of the esophagus or stomach;
5. Disease effects of other systems: such as obesity, diabetic gastroparesis, ascites caused by various reasons, etc.;
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6. Mental and psychological factors: When mental stress is high, it can affect the sensitivity of the esophagus, even if only a small amount of normal gastric acid enters the esophagus, it will bring a significant feeling of "acid reflux";
7. Poor eating habits and lifestyle: high-fat diet, chocolate, strong tea, strong coffee, heavy smoking, drinking, wearing tight or shapewear and pants, etc.;
8. Long-term use of certain medications: such as nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers, anticholinergic drugs, etc.
How to alleviate acid reflux in general?
1. Adjust your eating habits and lifestyle:
- Avoid bending over with weights;
- Avoid overly sweet and sour foods;
- Avoid high-fat diets, chocolate, strong tea, strong coffee, carbonated drinks;
- Do not smoke or drink;
- Eat regularly and avoid prolonged hunger;
- Don't overeat, do appropriate activities after meals, and avoid wearing tight clothes and shapewear.
2. Actively treat other systemic diseases: such as weight control; standardize the treatment of diabetes; Treatment of ascites, etc.
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3. When acid reflux symptoms are obvious, you can take medication to help relieve the symptoms:
For example, chewable magnesium aluminum carbonate tablets are a common Class A over-the-counter medication that can quickly neutralize stomach acid and bile, which can corrode the esophagus, and help improve symptoms. It has the advantage of fast onset of action, and the disadvantage of short maintenance time.
Omeprazole is also a relatively common over-the-counter class A drug, which can better suppress stomach acid levels, although the onset of action is a little slower (it takes about half an hour to 1 hour), but it can improve acid reflux symptoms more durably, and the effect is more powerful.
Special reminder: Pregnant women, the elderly, and children need to consult a doctor before taking it as appropriate.
When it comes to acid reflux, we've also compiled more questions you might be concerned about, which can be viewed by clicking on the text below.
What's wrong with acid reflux at night?
Can you be jealous of acid reflux?
Can omeprazole be taken for a long time?
Encyclopedia author
Luo Guanhong is the deputy chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology
Audit Specialists
Geng Wei is the deputy chief physician of the Department of Gastroenterology
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