Acid Reflux Treatments

**About Acid Reflux and Heartburn**

**What Are Acid Reflux and Heartburn?**

Acid reflux is a condition where stomach acid flows backwards into the oesophagus (gullet). Usually, a ring of muscle, known as a sphincter, closes off the bottom of the oesophagus when it's not in use. This prevents acid and food from flowing backwards into the oesophagus. However, if the sphincter relaxes when it's not supposed to, this can lead to acid reflux.

Heartburn is the name for the burning feeling in your chest or throat that happens during acid reflux. It's caused by the acid from the stomach travelling upwards into your oesophagus which triggers the nerves to send pain signals to your brain.

Acid reflux can turn into a condition that's known as Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This means reflux is happening more than twice a week. If GORD continues long term, it can lead to cell changes in the oesophagus known as Barrett's Oesophagus. Rarely, this condition can lead to oesophageal cancer.

**What Causes Acid Reflux and Heartburn?**

There's not always an obvious cause of acid reflux symptoms, but diet is often to blame. Common food triggers include:

• fatty foods

• alcohol

• acidic foods like tomatoes

• spicy foods

• coffee

Other behaviours and factors can also trigger reflux, such as:

• smoking

• lying down after meals

• stress and anxiety

• pain killer medications like ibuprofen and naproxen

Being pregnant or overweight can also increase the risk of experiencing frequent heartburn symptoms. As can stomach ulcers, a stomach infection caused by the bacteria, helicobacter pylori, and a type of hernia known as a hiatus hernia.

**What Are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux and Heartburn?**

The main symptoms of acid reflux are heartburn (a burning sensation in the chest) and an acidic taste in the mouth or back of the throat.

Other symptoms include bloating, nausea (feeling sick), a long-term cough or hiccups that keep returning, a hoarse voice, and/or a sore throat.

If you notice food getting stuck in the back of your throat, you're being sick often, you're losing weight, or that you're having heartburn symptoms most days, it's important to seek advice from a doctor. They can provide alternative treatments and rule out anything more serious.

**How to Prevent Acid Reflux and Heartburn**

**Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Reduce Acid Reflux**

Although there are medications that help with acid reflux symptoms, it's best to try to make changes to your lifestyle first.

Eating smaller meals and avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms can be a good place to start. You don't have to totally cut out spicy food, alcohol, caffeine and fatty foods, but it can be helpful to try to reduce how much you have these common triggers, especially late in the evening.

Laying down after eating can trigger reflux, so it's a good idea to try to eat earlier in the evening. If you're regularly getting reflux symptoms in bed, it can help to elevate the head of your bed by putting a brick or some wood underneath the head end of the mattress. This can help as it raises your head up higher, making it harder for stomach acid to move upwards into your oesophagus.

Studies suggest that being overweight can significantly increase your risk of developing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, so weight loss may help to improve your heartburn symptoms.

Smoking can also trigger acid reflux and heartburn symptoms. By stopping smoking, you can improve your gastro oesophageal reflux disease and reduce how often you experience symptoms.

**Can Stress Make Acid Reflux Worse?**

Not only is stress related to acid reflux, but the level of stress actually correlates with gastro-oesophageal reflex disease severity. This means the worse your stress is, the worst your acid reflux will be.

One of the most important ways to improve GORD is to manage your stress. The NHS has some helpful advice on stress management, but if you're really struggling to deal with your stress, speak to your GP.

**What Are the Best Treatments for Acid Reflux and Heartburn?**

**What Over-the-counter Treatments Can I Get from Quick Meds?**

Antacids

Antacids or alginates are usually the first types of acid reflux treatment to try. Antacids work by neutralising the stomach acid, reducing the symptoms of heartburn and acid indigestion. Common antacids include the ingredients aluminium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, or magnesium trisilicate.

Most people take antacids without a problem, but in some cases they lead to side effects like burping, gas, and diarrhoea or constipation (depending on which ingredient is used). Antacids can be taken when you're expecting acid reflux symptoms to start, or once they've already started.

Usually antacids work quickly to relieve heartburn, but their effects don't last long-term.

Alginates

Alginates can be taken alone, but are sometimes combined with antacids in one medication. They work by forming a film that floats on top of the stomach acid, protecting the bottom of the oesophagus.

Usually containing the ingredients sodium alginate or alginic acid, alginates are a type of carbohydrate that's derived from algae.

Similarly to antacids, alginates can provide immediate, effective relief but these effects only last for a short amount of time.

Histamine (H2) blockers

H2 receptor blockers work to block acid production in the stomach, which can help to improve the symptoms of acid reflux.

Histamine is a chemical that's secreted by cells in the stomach. Amongst other things, it stimulates acid production. By blocking H2 receptors, histamine can't bind to the cells in the stomach and trigger acid production.

H2 receptor blockers are only available on prescription, so you will need to see a healthcare provider in order to obtain these.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

Proton pump inhibitors are another type of medication that reduces the amount of stomach acid that's produced. They block stomach acid production in a different way to H2 blockers - by stopping a type of protein called a proton pump from working.

Similarly to H2 blockers, most proton pump inhibitors need a prescription to buy. However, 20mg of omeprazole can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription. This medication shouldn't be taken for more than 2 weeks without consulting a healthcare professional.

Common side effects include nausea and vomiting, headaches, abdominal pain, wind, and diarrhoea or constipation.

PPIs are a very effective medication for acid reflux, GORD, and Barrett's Oesophagus. However, there's some evidence that they do increase the risk of gastric cancer in people with GORD (but they may reduce the risk in individuals with Barrett's Oesophagus).

You can discuss this risk with a healthcare professional, but it's generally best to only take PPIs when needed. Initially, PPIs are usually prescribed when symptoms flare up, for around 4-8 weeks. If you continue to experience ongoing symptoms, you may need to take medication for longer.

**Prescription Medications Available for Severe or Persistent Symptoms**

For people already taking omeprazole that they've bought over the counter, they'll need to by reviewed by a medical professional after taking the medication for 2 weeks, if they want to increase the dose, or if they'd like to try an alternative PPI. Other proton pump inhibitors include lansoprazole and esomeprazole.

**How Can I Get Immediate Relief for Acid Reflux?**

For quick-acting relief from heartburn and acid reflux symptoms, over the counter antacids, like sodium bicarbonate, and alginates are usually the best option. These products can be taken as chewable tablets or as a liquid for you to drink.

**When To Consider Prescription Medication for Acid Reflux**

**Do I Need a Prescription for My Acid Reflux?**

If you've already tried making changes to your lifestyle and taken over the counter medications and you're experiencing heartburn symptoms most days, it's time to seek advice from a healthcare professional. You may benefit from prescription acid reflux medications.

Symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, and being sick regularly can be a sign of something other than acid reflux. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to see your GP.

**How Can Quick Meds Help with My Acid Reflux Treatment?**

Quick Meds offers online acid reflux and heartburn consultations with our prescribers. Discuss your symptoms, medical history, and the medications you take with our team and they'll advise you on the best treatment options for your symptoms.

Our team can provide prescriptions for PPIs and H2 blockers if required. Your acid reflux treatments can then be purchased from our online shop and shipped to your home quickly and efficiently. All medication is packaged securely in discreet packaging and sent via fast UK delivery.

**What Can Happen If I Don’t Treat My Acid Reflux?**

If left untreated, acid reflex can cause damage to the oesophagus. This can lead to inflammation and ulcers (oesophagitis), pre-cancerous cell changes (Barrett’s oesophagus), scarring/narrowing of the oesophagus (strictures), and in some cases oesophageal cancer.

By treating your acid reflux, you're reducing the risk of damaging your oesophagus.

**Are There Any Natural or Home Remedies for Acid Reflux?**

**Can Home Remedies Help Relieve Acid Reflux Symptoms?**

Some people choose to try natural remedies as a treatment for acid reflux symptoms. Popular natural remedies include ginger, chamomile tea, milk, and apple cider vinegar. Although there's no significant evidence that any of these natural remedies can improve acid reflux, some people do feel they benefit from these treatments.

If taking any types of herbal remedies, make sure you know what you're taking and do your research.

Changes to your behaviour can be a better natural remedy than taking a tea, foods, or herbal medicine. Avoiding eating late at night, laying down soon after eating, and raising the head of the bed, by using additional pillows - these are non-pharmaceutical ways to improve your heartburn symptoms.

If you're experiencing heartburn symptoms several times a week or they are significantly affecting your life, it's time to ask for help from a medical professional or your healthcare provider.

**What Other Health Conditions Are Related to Acid Reflux?**

**Can Acid Reflux Cause Other Health Problems?**

As well as causing damage to the oesophagus, if left untreated GORD can cause possible complications such as; worsen asthma, trigger a prolonged cough, and sometimes lead to aspiration pneumonia in older people. Ongoing acid reflux can disrupt sleep and even cause severe chest pain that's mistaken for a heart attack!

If you experience sudden severe chest pain that doesn't go away, call 999 immediately. Unless it's an emergency, you should seek help from your GP if you're having asthma flare ups or breathing issues.

**Conclusion: How Quick Meds Can Help You Manage Acid Reflux and Heartburn**

Acid reflux symptoms can be uncomfortable and even painful, and if left untreated GORD can lead to long-term health problems. Quick Meds offers both prescription and over the counter medicines to help treat your acid reflux.

Book a virtual appointment with our prescribers to discuss the best way to treat your acid reflux symptoms today.

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