Talking to a Doctor Online About Acid Reflux

A fairly common complaint, acid reflux is something most people will experience at least once in their life. However, when people start complaining about mild acid reflux at least twice a week, or moderate to severe reflux at least once every week, they may actually be suffering from a disease called Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Some individuals with occasional acid reflux or symptoms of GERD may find that certain lifestyle changes and non-prescription options help support symptom management. It's important to seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen. But for those with more severe symptoms, If symptoms persist, you may consider booking a telehealth consultation with a registered doctor. They can assess your condition and advise on suitable next steps. You can book an online consultation, where a doctor will decide if a prescription is needed.

What is Acid Reflux?

The top of your stomach is covered by a small ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This muscle acts as a valve that opens when food enters the stomach and closes right afterwards, preventing food and stomach acid from coming back up the esophagus. If this muscle doesn't fully close after food has passed through it or reopens frequently, gases from the stomach can rise up into the esophagus, causing acid reflux.

What is GERD?

When mild symptoms of acid reflux occur more than twice a week, or moderate to severe symptoms at least once every week, you are considered to have acid reflux disease, also known as GERD. The constant backwash of stomach acid (which has a pH level between 1 and 2, making it quite acidic) can irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing it to become inflamed.

Complications associated with GERD

• Esophageal ulcer: Constant inflammation of the esophagus can result in an open sore appearing in the esophagus, causing bleeding, pain and making swallowing difficult
• Esophageal stricture: This is a condition where scar tissue forms in the esophagus due to damage to the lower esophagus. This results in a narrowing of the esophagus and the food pathway, making it difficult to swallow food.
• Barrett's esophagus: A result of repeated exposure to stomach acids, Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the esophagus thickens and becomes red, and in rare cases may develop into esophageal cancer.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux

• Heartburn. Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It is an uncomfortable, burning feeling in the abdomen or chest, which may rise up to your throat. This may get worse at night.
• Chest pain
• Regurgitation of food or a sour or bitter-tasting acid into the throat or mouth
• Bloating
• Difficulty swallowing
• Burping

• Bloody vomiting or stools (especially if your esophagus has been damaged)
• Nausea
• Unexplained weight loss
• Unrelenting hiccups
• Disrupted sleep
• Chronic cough that gets worse at night
• Bad breath.

Common Risk Factors of Acid Reflux

• Eating too close to bedtime
• Lying down right after a meal
• Eating large meals
• Being overweight or obese
• Eating spicy or fatty foods, or a diet rich in foods like tomatoes, citrus, mint, garlic, onions or chocolate
• The consumption of beverages such as tea or coffee, carbonated drinks or alcohol
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Hiatal hernias; a stomach abnormality that makes the upper part of the stomach and the LES move above the diaphragm.
• Connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma
• Using certain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, muscle relaxants and blood pressure medication.

Talking to a doctor online about acid reflux

• Trying to lose weight if you are overweight or obese
• Quit smoking
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid foods that trigger acid reflux
• Finish eating at least three hours before bed and not lying down right after eating
• Avoid vigorous exercise after eating
• Sleep on an incline
• Talk to a doctor about any medications you're taking that may be causing heartburn and reflux.

However, if these suggestions are no longer working, or you find yourself taking over-the-counter medication to treat acid reflux more than twice a week, book an appointment with one of our online doctors for further assistance with your symptoms. In addition to analysing your symptoms with you through an online video chat, a doctor will review your condition and determine if a prescription is needed for managing frequent acid reflux. If necessary, the doctor may recommend a pathology test or refer you to a specialist for further assessment.