Surveys have shown that acid reflux affects about 40 percent of the US population. That is a lot of people and the number is steadily rising because of our lifestyle and diet.
Acid reflux occurs when the stomach acids rise out of the stomach into the esophagus and causes a burning sensation. This burning occurs because unlike the stomach, the esophagus has no protective lining.
There are several causes for acid reflux. The first question you will need to ask your doctor is what is causing your acid reflux. It could be the food you eat, your stress level, the way you sleep, etc.
You will also need to ask if there are any tests you can do to determine if you really do have acid reflux and it’s just not a case of spicy food. The doctor should also inform you on the side effects of the tests that you will go through.
If it is determined that you do have acid reflux, you will need to ask your doctor what are the available treatment options. There may be natural remedies, over the counter medication, prescription medication or if all else fails, surgery may be an option.
If you’re taking medication for acid reflux, do find out if it has any potential side effects. Are you on any type of medication for other health problems? If the answer is yes, do check with your doctor if the different medications will react negatively in your body. This is crucial information.
Another very important question you should ask is if there are natural methods you may use to reduce the acid reflux symptoms or even prevent them. The truth is that there are several lifestyle and dietary changes that you can make that may work better than most medicines. For example, if you stop eating fatty and greasy foods, you may notice that suddenly you do not have heartburn anymore.
Eating smaller meals, sleeping on an elevated headrest, not eating too close to bedtime and many more methods can be employed to reduce your chances of getting acid reflux. You should ask your doctor to tell you what you can do help yourself.
Of course, as with any disease, there will be signs to look out for to be aware if your situation is taking a turn for the worse. Ask your doctor to give you a list of signs and symptoms you will need to look out for. Also, check with him or her about what complications may arise from having acid reflux.
Information is power and the more info you have, the better able you will be to deal with acid reflux. The good news is that acid reflux symptoms can be kept in check by making a few changes in your life. The changes are easy but will require you to have some discipline and determination. For example, you would benefit from losing weight if you were overweight or you might have to quit smoking if you’re a smoker. These are some of the things you may have to do to lead a relatively pain free life.