In the first two articles in this short series, we looked at the basics of what acid reflux illness is and how it links to other conditions.
In this final article, we’ll consider some of the standard tests that your medical professionals may perform, what they mean and what treatments may be available.
Once again, we re-confirm that this article must not be read as qualified medical advice. If you are unwell or think you are unwell, you must consult your physician as soon as possible.
Examinations
If you’re suffering problems with either severe or frequent acid reflux attacks, then don’t delay – see your physician.
As we outlined in earlier articles, it is extremely unlikely that this problem is indicative of anything more serious but unless you’re a doctor then you’re unlikely to be able to be entirely sure of that. So, let your physician do his or her diagnostic job!
Once you go along, it’s highly likely that you’ll receive a quick general examination to look at your overall health. This may include some gentle prodding around your stomach feeling for lumps and bumps etc.
This brief examination alone may eliminate some non-routine causes.
Given the nature of acid reflux attacks, it is highly likely that you’ll be asked a number of questions relating to both your lifestyle and the nature of the attacks. So, for example, you may be asked whether such attacks follow-on from eating or whether they appear not to be related to food. You may also be asked about the times and frequencies of such attacks.
This is all trying to provisionally identify some common denominators such as whether or not the attacks are occurring on an empty stomach etc.
However, this is one area where you can help with some preparation.
We’ve all felt pretty dumb at times when being asked some basic questions by a doctor (such as “what had you eaten before the attacks”) and being unable to answer because we just don’t know or can’t remember!
So in the run-up to seeing your physician, try and keep a diary relating to the attack including dates and times, what you had been doing, what you had eaten and when etc.
Tests
In many cases, you physician may decide that nothing further is needed other than some over-the-counter medication (see below). They may ask you to monitor the position and to report back to them if things do not improve. It’s also very possible that they’ll suggest you modify certain aspects of your lifestyle – perhaps, for example, to avoid eating spicy foods.
Depending upon a number of factors, your physician may wish to arrange for a number of other tests. Perhaps the most common of these may involve endoscopies of the esophagus. That’s a scary term that just basically means a tiny and flexible camera is inserted down the throat into the esophagus to check the condition of the lining.
In some cases your physician may also ask for blood tests, x-rays and heart tests to rule out other typically unlikely causes.
It’s worth noting that asking for these tests usually does NOT indicate that your physician secretly suspects you have something serious. Many will ask for these tests just to be doubly sure and they are not cause for concern or anxiety.
Cancer
It’s sometimes possible to hear stories along the lines that “the cancer began with a lot of heartburn symptoms”.
In fact, it is very unusual for acid reflux symptoms to indicate any form of cancer. Of course, cancer of the esophagus does exist but it is extremely unlikely to be the cause of your acid attacks.
There is some evidence that links ongoing exposure of the cells of the esophagus to acid reflux attacks with a future increased risk of cancer of the esophagus. This though is extremely unlikely to be an issue for your individual situation though it may be an added reason why you should not ignore acid attack symptoms.
Treatments
You may find that your medical examinations ultimately prove unable to identify a cause. It’s possible that your only recommended treatment initially will be some basic pharmacy antacids perhaps accompanied by some diet and lifestyle changes as outlined above.
If that fails to solve the problem, your physician may recommend some more powerful drugs to basically help control your stomach acids. These may need to be taken once an attack commences or perhaps regularly as a prophylactic.
In some relatively rare cases, some surgical intervention around your sphincter muscle in the esophagus may be recommended.
In the vast majority of cases, the condition is relatively easily controlled though a ‘cure’ may not be available as such.
