Reflux

Reflux is also known as heartburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Symptoms include a burning pain in your stomach, throat or chest and/or bitter tasting acid in your mouth.  Other common symptoms include bloating, belching, nausea, hiccups dry cough or chronic sore throat.

Major causes include:

• Lying down after eating
• Being overweight
• Eating foods like chocolate, citrus, tomato, garlic, fatty foods, onions, alcohol and soft drinks.
• Pregnancy
• Medications including blood pressure meds, aspirin and ibuprofen.

Western Medical Treatment

• Antacids neutralise the acid in your stomach but they can cause diarrhoea or constipation. Antacids can provide temporary relief to reflux symptoms.
• Foaming agents that coat your stomach to reduce reflux.
• H2 Blockers or proton pump inhibitors act to reduce acid production.
• Prokinetics empty your stomach faster to prevent reflux.
• As a last resort surgery can be performed to create physical barriers to stomach acid ascending up the oesophagus.