Prescription Acid Reflux Medicine

Acid Reflux (Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)) is a digestive condition that occurs in around one fifth of the population in the UK. It can affect people of all ages, including children, however, it is most common in adults over 40 years of age. Acid reflux is also more common amongst men, and occurs when stomach acid leaks out of your stomach and into the gullet.

This can cause what feels like a burning sensation in your upper chest area and leaves a bad taste at the back of your throat. Acid reflux is most commonly caused by the weakening of the lower sphincter muscles of the gullet. 

Acid reflux, also known as heartburn, occurs when stomach acid or bile travels up the gullet (oesophagus) towards the mouth. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest and other symptoms. If acid reflux happens regularly, this is called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or GORD). 

Acid reflux is actually very common in the UK and is thought to affect up to a quarter of adults. 

Acid reflux is caused by a number of factors. It is most commonly caused when the oesophageal sphincter relaxes or weakens. The oesophageal sphincter is a ring of muscle that opens to let food pass into the stomach. 

When this happens it allows acid made in the stomach to travel back up into the chest and throat. This is what leads to the burning sensation in acid reflux. A test exists called esophageal manometry, which is used to assess the muscles of the oesophagus. 

Other causes include delayed gastric emptying (meaning food stays in the stomach longer) and a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia (or hiatus hernia) is when part of your stomach moves up into your chest. 

• Some risk factors of acid reflux are: 
• Pregnancy 
• Smoking 
• Being overweight or obese 
• Stress and anxiety 
• Taking certain medicines such as ibuprofen 
• Excess alcohol consumption 

Acid reflux is closely associated with eating and some food and drinks may trigger reflux, such as: 

• Caffeinated drinks like coffee 
• Alcohol 
• Fizzy drinks 
• Rich or fatty foods 
• Spicy foods 
• Citrus foods 
• Chocolate 

Symptoms of acid reflux are often worse after eating and/or when lying down or bending over 

The main symptoms are: 

A burning sensation in the middle of the chest often occurring after eating or when lying down 

Regurgitation – stomach contents returning up towards the throat, this can leave an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth 

Because some people can get a burning sensation or chest pain with acid reflux, a severe case can sometimes be mistaken for heart problems. If you have chest pains it is important to rule out heart problems with your GP. 

Some people may suffer from other symptoms such as:

• A cough or returning hiccups 
• Hoarseness (more likely to occur in the morning) 
• Bad breath 
• Bloating or feeling nauseous 

If people suffer from symptoms of GORD for a long time it can cause severe complications.

These complications are mainly due to damage from the acid. The stomach is built to withstand the strong acid it produces but the oesophagus can be damaged by being repeatedly exposed to stomach acid.

This damage can lead to:

• Oesophageal ulcers 
• Inflammation and irritation of the oesophagus called oesophagitis 
• Barrett’s oesophagus 

It is estimated that 1 in 10 people who suffer with GORD will get Barrett’s oesophagus after many years. This causes changes in the cells of the oesophagus and in some cases can eventually lead to esophageal cancer.