Is a recurring hyperacidity a sign of a more serious disease?
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Incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter allows reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus, causing burning pain. Prolonged reflux may lead to esophagitis, stricture, and rarely metaplasia. Diagnosis is clinical, sometimes with endoscopy, with or without acid testing. Treatment involves lifestyle modification, acid suppression using proton pump inhibitors, and sometimes surgery.
Certain foods and lifestyle are considered to promote gastroesophageal reflux:
* Coffee, alcohol, and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements are stimulants of gastric acid secretion. Taking these before bedtime especially can promote evening reflux. Calcium containing antacids are in this group.
* Foods high in fats and smoking reduce lower esophageal sphincter competence, so avoiding these tends to help, as well. Fat also delays emptying of the stomach.
* Having more but smaller meals also reduces the risk of GERD, as it means there is less food in the stomach at any one time.
* avoid eating for 2 hours before bedtime
* avoid soft drinks
* avoid chocolate and peppermint
* avoid spicy foods
* avoid acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes (however, they are okay when fresh.)
* avoid cruciferous vegetables: onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts
* milk and milk-based products contain calcium and fat, so should be avoided before bedtime
Please see the web pages for more details on GERD, Peptic ulcer and Helicobacter pylori.
it is pre-signal saying if you do not control now it would be serious later.
hyper acidity means untilsed excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, once the symptoms are neglected this becomes chronic and the mucus layer(the layer in the inner side of the stomach) will not be able to withhold the acidic media and as a result it might damage the layer leading to ulcer. (like peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer etc).
By not seeking treatment, he will be prone to have further damage, which can lead to some serious illnesses. Then his fears will be well founded. He needs to see a Doc, bottom line !!
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