Acid Reflux - When to Consult a Doctor

We have determined that acid reflux is a common health problem. Lifestyle, food, career, and daily routines all contribute to the problem. In most cases, people tend to shrug off heartburn as part of life, without realizing that it can cause major complications when ignored.

We now know that acid reflux is caused when acidic content in the stomach flows back into the esophagus causing a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Factors that cause acid reflux are:

1. Overeating - when you ingest a large amount of food that is too much for the stomach to handle, the excess will eventually push through the protective valve of the lower esophageal tract and expose the esophagus to the stomach's acid. This part of the esophagus is called LES or lower esophageal sphincter.

2. Eating foods high in acid and fat -- foods with high acid and cholesterol content causes an increase of acid levels in the stomach. The pressure build-up will eventually push open the LES and expose the esophagus to the stomach's content. Fruits, like lemon, pineapple, citrus, and others abundant with vitamin C can also cause acid reflux when eaten in large quantities.

3. Stress and fatigue -- stress is also a factor that will lead to acid reflux. When an individual is stressed, blood is pumped away from the stomach and will eventually lead to an increase in acid levels. Fatigue can also lead to acid reflux. When the body is forced to endure more activity despite reaching its limit, blood pressure increases to distribute more oxygen to the rest of the body. This will also lead to acid build-up.

Consult a Professional

Shrugging off acid reflux as normal may cause complications later on. There are thousands of source materials on the Internet and in medical texts that explain the facts regarding acid reflux. Even so, it is important to consult a medical expert to properly diagnose the problem.

What Happens During Diagnosis?

When you consult a doctor regarding your acid reflux problem, the medical expert will first start with a physical examination that includes your height and weight. After the physical examination, the doctor will ask you questions regarding your medical history; this includes your family's health history, previous check-ups, current prescriptions, medicines used in the past, and so on.

The doctor will then inquire about the start of your acid reflux, inquiring about information that will lead him/her to an accurate diagnosis such as:

• When you started feeling the signs and symptoms of acid reflux;
• Medications used to counteract the signs and symptoms;
• Prescriptions given to you by other medical practitioners;
• Specific questions that will help determine the exact signs and symptoms you experience;
• Discovering the trigger for the signs and symptoms of acid reflux disease;
• And checking out your lifestyle and routine to determine what might be attributed to the signs and symptoms of acid reflux (diet, meals, physical activities, smoking, drinking alcohol, etc.).

Once the doctor has compiled all the data needed to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, he or she will then discuss possible treatment.

There are times, however, when your medical specialist will require you to undertake procedures to determine the extent of the damage in your esophagus; such as:

• Esophageal pH;
• Upper Endoscopy;
• Esophageal Manometry;
• And Upper GI Series

However, patients are only required to undertake these tests when suffering from severe complications brought about by the existence of acid reflux or GERD.