Acid reflux chokes me awake at night
by Drew Harris http://www.acid-refluxsite.com
Acid reflux has forced me to suddenly wake up countless times,
in a state of panic, choking on my own acid and gasping for
breath.
Nothing can really describe the burning bile feeling, or the
taste it leaves in your mouth as you try not to gag and
throw-up. I have had to stick a pinch of toothpaste into my
mouth and leave it there to try and cut the bile taste.
I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia as a teenager, which may
contribute to acid reflux. The burning acid had left me alone
for most of my 20's. However, a high stress job and a subsequent
gain in weight and lack of exercise brought the acid reflux back
on with a vengeance in my 30's.
When I started having almost constant waves of heartburn and
acid indigestion, sitting upright at my desk, I knew it was time
to see the doctor.
At that time, I had never heard of acid reflux.
He told me that more than 60 million people suffer from frequent
heartburn, acid indigestion or GERD (Gastroesophogeal Reflux
Disease).
Acid reflux describes the regurgitation of acid back up the
throat. It can also lead to more serious medical conditions that
may require hospitalization.
My doctor explained this happens when the lower esophageal
sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents
leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of
muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve
between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries food
from the mouth to the stomach.
When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus,
it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called
heartburn. The fluid may even be tasted in the back of the
mouth, which is called acid indigestion. Heartburn that occurs
more than twice a week may be considered GERD, and it can
eventually lead to more serious health problems.
When I finally went and saw my doctor, I was having almost
constant heartburn and acid indigestion.
He further explained that symptoms are usually worse at night
when the person is lying flat and acid flows easily from the
stomach back up the esophagus.
Anyone, including infants, children, and pregnant women, can
have GERD.
I was told to make some lifestyle and dietary changes. They
included:
1. Using a wedge pillow to elevate my body at bedtime 2. Eating
plenty of fiber and drinking lots of fluids. 3. Eating small
meals and eating slowly. 4. Not lying down for at least 1-2
hours after eating. 5. Losing extra pounds. Added weight causes
extra pressure on your stomach and can irritate symptoms. 6.
Wearing loose clothing. Tightly fitting clothes put extra
pressure on your stomach. 7. Not exercising for at least one
hour after eating. 8. Avoiding the following: alcohol, tobacco,
caffeine, chocolate, carbonated beverages, spices, fried and
fatty foods, tomato products, citrus, and peppermint.
I am a non smoker and I don't drink that much. I do drink a fair
bit of coffee however. The real culprit for me though has been
drinking fruit juice of any kind before bed. When I have, my
acid reflux has been significantly worse.
As I have made many of these changes to my lifestyle, I have
seen some relief.
The elevated pillow works wonderfully. I have also started
taking proton pump inhibitor medication, which reduces acid
production in my stomach. I have been told surgery may be an
option down the road.