Reflux: the burning facts

Service News papers – June 21, 2012

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CPL Nick Wiseman gets to the heart of a common problem.

HEARTBURN is a symptom many people experience but what a lot of people may not know is lifestyle change can often have quite an impact on the condition.

According to the Digestive Health Foundation, Gastroenterological Society of Australia, heartburn is the main symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and is a common condition with up to one in five adults experiencing heartburn once a week.
Senior medical advisor Dr Dorothy Coote, of JHC, said heartburn was typically a burning sensation in the lower chest that tended to rise up towards the throat during an episode of reflux or regurgitation.

“Other symptoms people can often suffer are nausea, excessive burping and chest pain,” she said.

 “GORD may be confused with a heart attack and any person who experiences undiagnosed chest pain should seek medical attention in the first instance.”

The diagnosis of GORD should be made by a doctor.

Various tests can be done, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Unlike some other illnesses, GORD symptoms such as heartburn can be relieved with a range of medication while diagnostic tests are done.

Two common tests for diagnosing GORD are a breath test, which looks for Helicobacter pylori, the organism that has been found to cause stomach ulcers, and a gastroscopy, which looks for evidence of damage to the lower oesophagus and abnormal conditions in the stomach using a camera.

Dr Coote said these tests might not be conclusive for some people with milder symptoms and often their symptoms could be eased by simple lifestyle changes.

“Being just a few kilograms overweight can predispose you to having GORD,” she said.

“Other factors such as smoking can also make GORD worse.”

For some people, cutting out things such as spicy foods, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol and losing weight can reduce or eliminate their symptoms.

For those whose symptoms persist, medications are available such as proton pump inhibitors, which suppress the amount of stomach acid produced and reduce the risk of heartburn and other symptoms.

Dr Coote said although the inhibitors reduced stomach acid they did not affect the normal function of the digestive system.
“These medications are well tolerated,” she said.

“Sometimes people may experience minor side effects but they are usually insignificant compared to the benefits from these medications.”

Another remedy often used by people experiencing heartburn is antacids available from supermarkets or pharmacies.

These antacids neutralise acids that have been secreted by the stomach and are only useful in the short-term.

The best way to manage GORD is to get medical advice, however, lifestyle changes such as reducing weight, stopping smoking and watching what you can eat will not only reduce symptoms of the condition but also lead to better longevity and quality of life.

20 June, 2012