Acid Reflux Overview

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux or acid regurgitation is also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and is a common digestive condition. More than 60 million Americans experience acid indigestion at least once a month, and research suggests that more than 15 million Americans experience acid indigestion on a daily basis. Acid reflux causes a burning sensation that radiates up from the stomach to the mid-chest or throat. This is heartburn caused by refluxed stomach acid touching the lining of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. It also may cause a sour taste in the back of the mouth and can sometimes lead to difficulty swallowing. The condition occurs when the muscle at the end of the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a one-way valve which opens spontaneously when you swallow for limited amounts of time, does not close properly or tightly enough. When this happens, it allows digestive juices and stomach contents to rise back up the esophagus.

Types of Acid Reflux

Most people experience occasional acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux (GER.) However, in some cases the digestive condition is chronic, occurs more than twice a week and is the more serious gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux can affect infants, children, and adults. Notably, most children under 12, along with some adults who have GERD, do not experience the most common symptom—heartburn. Alternative symptoms are trouble swallowing, a dry cough, or the kind of symptoms experienced by those with asthma. Variations of acid reflux include:

Infant acid reflux

Adults aren’t the only ones affected by acid reflux. More than half of all babies experience infant acid reflux during the first three months after birth. It is important for your pediatrician to differentiate between an infant’s perfectly normal physiological reflux and GERD, however. Spitting up and even vomiting is normal and perfectly harmless and may not bother the baby. Other signs include  irritability, discomfort or arching the back during or immediately after feedings. Luckily, these symptoms are also generally normal and not harmful to the baby. Infant acid reflux usually goes away on its own around 12 to 18 months of age. If the symptoms continue beyond that, it may be GERD rather than the milder GER. GERD in children can easily be missed. If there is a lack of weight gain, failure to eat, nausea, coughing, respiratory problems or symptoms that mimic colic, they warrant a pediatrician’s attention. The same is true if a baby is spitting up more than a tablespoon or two at a time, or the spit-up looks green or brown.  The pediatrician may suggest burping the baby a few times during a feed, or more frequent and smaller meals, and keeping the baby upright for 30 minutes after eating. You also may be referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist, or your pediatrician may recommend over the counter or prescription medicines. Sometimes further testing will be necessary.

Reflux esophagitis

Esophagitis is a general term for inflammatory irritation or swelling of the esophagus. Reflux esophagitis is a type of esophagitis associated with GERD, caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, damaging the tissues. Esophagitis often causes heartburn.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

GERD is a chronic digestive disease that affects people of all ages including children. It is the more serious form of GER and can eventually pose greater health problems if left untreated. If acid reflux occurs more than twice a week it’s considered GERD. The majority of the estimated 30 million Americans diagnosed with chronic GERD experience symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation at night. If you have symptoms or use over the counter antacids or reflux medications for more than two weeks, consult your doctor.