Symptoms of reflux and heartburn

Reflux disease is a complex dysfunction of the upper part of the digestive tract.
It is a clinical condition in which gastric contents pass in the opposite direction to their normal course, into the oesophagus and, less frequently, into the pharynx, or possibly into the lungs by inhaling small droplets, causing various symptoms and diseases.

The most obvious symptoms are regular, frequent heartburn, burning pain behind the sternum and a feeling of suffocation.

The phenomenon of reflux, i.e. the backflow of stomach contents, is experienced by a significant proportion of the population at least once in their lifetime.
So even healthy people can occasionally experience reflux symptoms, for example after a hearty meal or after bending forward.
However, increased abdominal pressure can also be caused by tight clothing.
The latter can also cause temporary reflux discomfort in pregnant mothers.
The phenomenon becomes abnormal if the complaints recur regularly.

The sphincter, located at the bottom of the oesophagus, is closed by default and opens only until the esophageal wall passes through it.
Reflux occurs when the sphincter also opens due to abdominal pressure from below and allows gastric contents to pass through.
Reflux is therefore caused by weakness of the lower sphincter, increased abdominal pressure or a combination of both.

Sphincter weakness can also be caused by a hernia of the diaphragm.
One of the most common causes of increased abdominal pressure is an increase in the volume of stomach contents.
This can occur even after a hearty meal, but it can also occur if the stomach contents do not move properly into the intestinal tract.

There are several reasons why abdominal pressure – and therefore the risk of reflux – can increase.
Examples include obesity, pregnancy, physical work, certain sports, clothing that is too tight and the part of the garment that squeezes the abdomen.

The predisposing factors are an irregular diet, sedentary work and a stressful lifestyle.
Smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, tea and coffee, and certain medicines (e.g. salicylate) can also irritate the lining of the stomach.
In addition, some sleeping pills and sedatives can also be a predisposing factor.
These “relax” the stomach lining, so people who take them for a long time are more likely to develop reflux.

For treatment to be effective, it is essential that you follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter, which in the case of reflux means, in particular, following the prescribed diet and lifestyle changes.
Secondarily, the implementation of medication, but in addition to this, it may also be useful to learn some stress management techniques.

HIGH LINE REFLUX DIET Avoid hard-to-digest, fatty, spicy foods and frequent, small meals are recommended.

Drinking large amounts of coffee, tea, chocolate and alcoholic beverages can aggravate the symptoms.
Carbonated soft drinks are not recommended because of their acidity and their bloating effect.
Some seemingly harmless foods can also irritate the inflammatory mucous membranes, such as concentrated sweets, honey and fried foods.
Of course, acidic foods such as vinegar should also be avoided.

MEDICAL TREATMENT Mild symptoms may not require a prescription for treatment.
Over-the-counter antacids available over the counter can relieve mild symptoms quickly and well, but only for a short time, and their side effects mean that they are not a long-term solution.
In large quantities, these drugs can upset the body’s salt and water balance and raise blood pressure.

The dosage of the active substances that are part of your medical treatment depends on the severity of your reflux.
With the right medication, 80-90% of patients will be symptom-free.
Mild maintenance treatment may be required intermittently for mild symptoms to maintain symptom-free status.

Surgery is usually recommended in all cases where long-term medication is the only way to ensure freedom from symptoms.

If the symptoms persist despite taking antacids and medicines that inhibit acid production, you should consult your doctor again.
The symptoms may be caused by bile reflux, which requires a different treatment.

In this case, a gastroscopy may be warranted again.