Patricia Raymond

There are many opinions out there about how to treat acid reflux. It can get confusing! Particularly confusing is the fact that what triggers one person's reflux may not trigger yours. This Cheat Sheet breaks down the bulk of what you need to know so you can reduce your reflux without getting a headache.What causes acid reflux?

A well-balanced carb-intensive breakfast can be a healthy choice, and with the right ingredients, it can be great for someone with acid reflux. Baked goods, even ones that are billed as healthy (as opposed to a donut), are an easy way to consume lots of sugar and fat that you’re not intending to consume. Many muffins, for instance, are only about as healthy as a cupcake without frosting.

Every parent knows it’s common for babies to spit up after meals. However, if vomiting is frequent, the infant seems to experience pain or discomfort when feeding, or experiences weight loss, the baby could have acid reflux. Generally, reflux in infants is due to a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract. If this is the case, the child will usually outgrow the reflux after her first birthday.

Barrett’s esophagus is a serious condition that involves the tissue lining the esophagus. The exact cause of Barrett’s has not been discovered, but acid reflux, and especially gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), puts you at a greater risk of developing it. You’re not likely to develop Barrett’s if you have infrequent or mild reflux, but severe cases of GERD have been shown to significantly raise the risk.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed for patients with acid reflux. PPIs help prevent acid reflux outbreaks instead of treating symptoms that have already manifested. PPIs are the most common medication prescribed to GERD patients. In fact, they’re among the most widely prescribed medications in the world, with 119 million U.

Acid reflux is dangerous because it's linked with several serious, life-threatening medical conditions. One of the more serious conditions associated with reflux is esophageal stricture (a narrowing of the esophagus). This condition can make it difficult to swallow and may require surgery. Even more serious is Barrett's esophagus, a mutation of the cells that line the esophagus.

The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" certainly applies to acid reflux: It's better to prevent acid reflux than to treat it. When you get acid reflux, if you keep doing whatever gave you the ailment, you'll keep getting the ailment, and eventually there will be consequences beyond discomfort and pain.

The terms acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference among these three digestive disorders: Acid reflux is the reason you have heartburn. It is the underlying condition that allows stomach acid to escape into the esophagus. Reflux is the result of a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Acid reflux is the result of a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a small ring of muscles between the esophagus and stomach. When functioning correctly, it opens to allow food and fluid to pass down into the stomach, and then closes promptly. Acid is not supposed to flow upward — and when it does, reflux.