Over 112 million people in Europe, about 20% of the population, are estimated to suffer with acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when acid from the stomach flows back up into the tube running from the throat to the stomach (the oesophagus). This causes a burning sensation known as acid reflux or heart burn.
Silent reflux occurs during the night and is so named as people often don’t know it is happening. One of the most common symptoms is an unexplained need to cough frequently or clear your throat a lot. This is due to the erosion of the protective mucus which lines the oesophagus or irritation and damage to the cell membrane itself.
Both acid reflux and silent reflux are often treated with medication to reduce the level of acid in the stomach. Too much stomach acid is rarely the issue however, it’s more about stomach acid escaping from the stomach, where it belongs. In fact, both conditions often arise initially due to low levels of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which frequently decline with age. As digestive function declines the bacteria in the gut (microbiome) can become imbalanced leading to dysbiosis, bloating and gas, or conditions such as small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). These issues increase the risk of bacterial fermentation, instead of digestion of food. Fermentation causes gas which can lead to a buildup of pressure in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. If this causes the sphincter at the top of the stomach to open and the acid will reflux, causing burning.
My approach
I am always looking for the root cause of health problems and acid reflux is no exception. There are many steps which can be taken to improve digestion and acid reflux symptoms.
Acid suppression medication from your GP can help with immediate symptom relief and may be needed initially to protect the lining of the oesophagus. It is best not to rely on this long-term however, so we would look to investigate root causes. Is it poor digestive function, bacterial overgrowth or imbalance or are there any structural issues such as weak diaphragm muscles, weak sphincters, hernias, ulcers? Parasites or fungal and yeast infections also need to be ruled out.
Sometimes simple diet and lifestyle changes are all that is required. We will often work to take the pressure off your digestive system whilst starting to improve digestive capacity. There are also some key practical steps that can help such as losing weight, avoiding eating just before bed or avoiding key food triggers such as alcohol, caffeine, spices and chocolate.
Acid reflux symptoms
| Common | Less common |
| Heartburn | Voice changes |
| Chest pain | Hoarseness |
| Dry cough | Sore throat |
| Nausea | Difficulty breathing – asthma symptoms |
| Thick and bubbly saliva | Teeth damage |
| Pain in the upper part of the abdomen | Damage to mucous membranes in the mouth |
Get in touch
If you would like to get to the bottom of your acid reflux, please get in touch for a free initial chat on 07740 876233. I would love to help you.
References
Holzer, P. (2007) Acid sensing in the gastrointestinal tract; American Journal of Physiology Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 292(3): G699-G705 doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00517.2006
Eom, C-S. et al. (2011) Use of acid-suppressive drugs and risk of pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-anlaysis. Canadian Medical Association Journal; 183(3) pp.310-319. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.092129
