kingsfoldmedicalcentre web site

<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> kingsfoldmedicalcentre web site

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease occurs when acid from the stomach comes back up into the oesophagus (the food passage from the mouth to the stomach). About a third of adults in the UK experience heartburn at least once a month, and a small minority suffer from heartburn every week or even every day. Most pregnant women have heartburn which settles as soon as the baby is born. Reflux is also a problem in some young infants, but usually disappears as the baby grows and develops. Fortunately, for most people reflux can be treated by making simple changes to their lifestyle.

Life Style Tips

Reduce your alcohol intake and avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach
Stop smoking
Exercise everyday
Lose weight if necessary
Raise the head of your bed with books or bricks (about 10 cms) to stop reflux at night

Stress doesn’t cause reflux but it can make your symptoms seen worse.

What causes the reflux?
At the top of the stomach there is a muscular valve (sphincter) that allows food to go down but prevents the contents of the stomach from coming back up into the oesophagus. If the valve isn’t working properly, stomach acid comes back into the oesophagus - this is called reflux. We don’t know why the valve doesn’t work in some people. Although a hiatus hernia (where the upper part of the stomach slips into the chest) makes reflux more likely.

What are the symptoms?
Oesophageal reflux can cause the following symptoms: