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Acid reflux (GERD)

Understanding acid reflux

What Is GERD?

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It happens when food and stomach acid go back up into the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach (called the esophagus). This can cause a burning feeling in your chest called heartburn.

What Causes GERD?

GERD can happen for many reasons:

A weak muscle at the bottom of the esophagus
Being overweight
Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Eating certain foods or taking some medicines

How Can You Treat GERD?

You can feel better by:

Changing what you eat
Losing weight
Taking medicine
Avoiding smoking and alcohol

Talk to a doctor if you have heartburn often. They can help you find the best way to treat it

References

Mayo Clinic. (2021). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Definition & facts for GER & GERD. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/definition-facts

DISCERN Score= 3.47 out of 5

Quick Facts about GERD

GERD is when stomach acid flows back into your throat, causing heartburn.
It can be caused by a weak muscle in the lower food pipe, being overweight, pregnancy, smoking, or certain foods.
Even healthy people can get GERD due to genetics or body structure.
GERD is usually not dangerous, but long-term problems can lead to serious issues like esophageal cancer.
Heartburn is a symptom, reflux is the action, and GERD is the condition.

References (APA Format)

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Definition & Facts for GER & GERD. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/definition-facts

DISCERN Score: 2.93 out of 5.0

How to help acid reflux

Acid reflux happens when stomach acid goes up into your throat. It can cause a burning feeling called heartburn. Here are four easy ways to help stop it:

Eat Smaller Meals
Big meals can make your stomach too full and cause acid to rise. Try eating smaller portions.
Lose Weight
Being overweight puts pressure on your stomach. Losing weight can help reduce reflux.
Raise the Head of Your Bed
Sleeping with your head higher than your stomach can keep acid from coming up at night.
Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
These can make the muscle that keeps acid down weaker. Staying away from them helps prevent reflux.

References (APA Format)

American College of Gastroenterology. (2020). GERD diet: Foods that help with acid reflux (heartburn). Retrieved from https://gi.org/topics/gerd-diet/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2021). Acid Reflux (GER & GERD) in Adults. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults

DISCERN score: 3.60 out of 5.0

baclofen: what is it and how it helps reflux

Baclofen is a medicine that helps relax muscles. It works on a special muscle at the bottom of your food pipe called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This muscle keeps food and acid from coming back up from your stomach.

How Baclofen Helps:

It keeps the LES closed more often so acid stays in your stomach.
It helps stop both acid and non-acid reflux.
It makes the LES stronger and tighter.
It helps reduce symptoms like heartburn and food coming back up.

What Baclofen Doesn’t Do:

It doesn’t help move food down through your stomach or intestines.

Side Effects:

Some people may feel:

Sleepy
Dizzy
Constipated

Who Might Use Baclofen?

Doctors may give baclofen to people who still have reflux problems even after taking other medicines like PPIs (proton pump inhibitors).

References (APA Format)

Fass, R., & Shapiro, M. (2007). Systematic review: baclofen treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 25(6), 693–700.
Vela, M.F., Tutuian, R., Katz, P.O., Castell, J.A., & Castell, D.O. (2003). Baclofen decreases acid and non-acid post-prandial gastroesophageal reflux measured by combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 17(2), 243–251.

DISCERN score: 4.0 out of 5.0

spicy foods and reflux

Spicy foods like chili peppers don’t cause acid reflux, but they can make it feel worse for some people.

Here’s why:

Spicy foods can irritate your food pipe (called the esophagus).
They might relax the muscle that keeps stomach acid down, called the lower esophageal sphincter.
This can lead to more heartburn or burning in your chest.

If spicy foods bother you, it’s okay to eat less of them or avoid them. Everyone is different, so it’s good to pay attention to how your body feels.

References (APA Format)

American Gastroenterological Association. (2021). Understanding GERD. Retrieved from https://www.gastro.org/practice-guidance/gi-patient-center/topic/gerd
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020). Definition & Facts for GER & GERD. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/definition-facts

DISCERN score
Reliability: 4.5 out of 5.0

Treatment information: 1.30 out of 5.0

proton pump inhibitors and their long term use

What Are Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)?

PPIs are medicines that help treat acid reflux and other stomach problems. They work by lowering the amount of acid your stomach makes.

What You Should Know About Long-Term Use

Taking PPIs for a long time might cause problems like:

Low vitamins and minerals (like magnesium or vitamin B12)
Kidney issues

That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about:

Using the lowest dose that works
Not stopping suddenly
Eating reflux-friendly meals

What You Can Do

Ask your doctor if PPIs are still right for you.
Learn about the risks and benefits.
Make healthy changes to help your stomach feel better.

References (APA Format)

Heidelbaugh, J. J. (2013). Proton pump inhibitors and risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency: Evidence and clinical implications. Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety, 4(3), 125–133.
Lazarus, B., Chen, Y., Wilson, F. P., Sang, Y., Chang, A. R., Coresh, J., et al. (2016). Proton pump inhibitor use and the risk of chronic kidney disease. JAMA Internal Medicine, 176(2), 238–246.

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