How to Live With Acid Reflux
July 12, 2005 — Steven Henshaw, Reading Eagle, Pa.
Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News
For years, April K. Hartranft felt the heat. After every meal, it felt as if a fire had been lit in her belly.
"Usually 15 minutes to a half-hour after I eat, that's when it would start with burning, real burning," said Hartranft, 52, of New Ringgold, Schuylkill County. "When I belched it would feel like fire coming up my throat."
She would drink a cup of coffee in the morning and suffer the rest of the day because of it.
Hartranft said she dealt with her heartburn by sipping ice water after meals to ease the burning, and by popping antacids throughout the day.
"I had a bottle of antacid in my purse, a bottle in my car and a bottle in my desk at work," she said.
Like many people who suffer frequent episodes of heartburn, Hartranft has a condition known as acid reflux disease, also known as GERD, for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Those with acid reflux suffer heartburn when digestive fluids and stomach acid splash or reflux into their throats.
Heartburn is a symptom of a process that occurs when the small valve (the lower esophageal sphincter or LES) between the stomach and esophagus relaxes longer than normal, said Dr. Kenneth D. Emkey, a gastroenterologist with Digestive Disease Associates, West Reading.
Regurgitating every once in a while is normal. It's when it occurs three or more times a week that it is considered a problem, he said.
It's the length of time the stomach contents are in contact with the esophagus that matters.
"Everyone refluxes, but usually you clear it," Emkey said.
The goal of treatment is prevention by reducing the amount of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus.
Besides the discomfort and pain, chronic refluxing of acid can damage the esophagus, which doesn't have as much protective coating as the stomach.
Over time, permanent damage results, and those who develop this condition are predisposed to esophageal cancer, Emkey said.
That type of cancer doesn't respond well to treatment, he added.
Primary care doctors have become more aware of the potential long-term health effects from acid reflux disease and are often sending patients for evaluation by a gastroenterologist when patients complain of frequent heartburn, Emkey said.
Fortunately, the condition can be treated effectively in most cases with medication.
A newer class of medication called proton-pump inhibitors have been highly effective in preventing symptoms. The drug works by completely blocking the production of stomach acid.
Patients who take these drugs, which include the prescription medications Nexium, Losec, Zoton and Protium, usually get a 90 percent reduction in symptoms.
"They have been tremendous," Emkey said. "They're the mainstay in treatment right now."
Along with medication, patients are urged to make simple lifestyle changes, such as losing weight if they are overweight and reducing use of potential triggers, including caffeine, alcohol and fried or fatty foods.
Remaining upright after meals is a must.
"Some people are in the habit of eating and taking a nap," Emkey said. "That's a no-no with acid reflux."
Hartranft has been taking medication since January and has been virtually symptom-free since.
She can now have a cup of coffee in the morning and eat foods such as chocolate that she had found to be bothersome without worrying about them causing problems later. The key, she said, is not to overindulge.
"I can't believe I let myself suffer for three years," she said. "I had it that bad and didn't want to admit it because I didn't want to take medication."
Her advice for those who suffer symptoms of acid reflux?
"I would say if you have problem if you have it daily like I did it's really a problem. Now I take one pill in the morning before I eat and I'm good for the whole day."
