kingsfoldmedicalcentre web site

Some symptoms may be caused by a more serious problem. Be sure to see your doctor if you experience any of the following:

Tests for Reflux
Sometimes special tests are needed to confirm that you have reflux. Your doctor will tell you if this is the case. The most useful test is called an endoscopy (or gastroscopy). This test involves a small, flexible telescope being passed from your mouth into your oesophagus and stomach). This test is very accurate and can detect subtle changes of reflux as well as ulcers (a break in the lining of the digestive tract). Another method is a barium meal, a test that can detect a hiatus hernia and ulcers of the oesophagus. It involves swallowing a white liquid called barium while X-rays are taken. It is safe and painless but less sensitive than an endoscopy. It is most useful for seeing why food sticks in the oesophagus. For other, more unusual cases and when surgery is being considered, your doctor may arrange for you to have studies that measure how the muscles in the oesophagus are working, or record the amount of acid in your oesophagus.

Treatment
How your oesophageal reflux is treated depends on how severe it is. Mild symptoms in a young person can be treated simply, without lots of tests, while more severe symptoms should be assessed by a doctor.

What and how you eat can also make a difference to your reflux. Talk to your GP about your eating habits and make simple changes such as the following:

Have small, frequent meals
Eat slowly and chew food properly
Reduce your fat intake - for example, eat less chocolate and fried food and try to choose low-fat dairy products
Cut down on spices, onions, savoury foods, coffee and fizzy drinks
Avoid large meals late at night

You can also try taking antacids which you can buy from your local pharmacy or supermarket. They are widely used for instant relief of heartburn and work very well for mild, infrequent symptoms.

If you need to take antacids every day, see your GP as you may need stronger medications to prevent symptoms. These will reduce the production of acid in your stomach or stimulate the muscle in the oesophagus and stomach (which helps push the acid back into the stomach again), These are also available from pharmacies.

The choice of medication is best made by your GP. You may need to take the medication on a long-term basis because it controls the condition rather than cures it. Always ask your GP if you have any questions about it.