When people experience acid indigestion, the lower esophageal sphincter does not work properly, causing symptoms commonly referred to as heartburn. Acid indigestion is a common condition, with about 60 million Americans experiencing heartburn at least one time each month, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Additionally, about 15 million people in the U.S. have daily acid indigestion. In severe cases, acid indigestion can cause damage to the esophagus, a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Cause
The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscular ring that is supposed to keep the stomach contents in the stomach. When the sphincter does not stay closed or periodically opens, partially digested food and stomach acids can reflux back into the esophagus, causing acid indigestion.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of acid indigestion is heartburn, which is often described as a burning pain in the chest that can also sometimes be felt in the neck and throat. In some cases, people can have a bitter or sour taste in their mouth because of the stomach acids refluxing back into the esophagus. Most bouts of acid indigestion occur between a half-hour and an hour after eating, according to Rutgers University.
Risk Factors
Although anyone can experience acid indigestion, people with certain lifestyle factors or medical conditions are more likely to suffer from heartburn. Pregnant women sometimes experience acid indigestion because the lower esophageal sphincter often does not function properly during pregnancy, according to Rutgers University. Other risk factors include diabetes, obesity and smoking. Foods that are known as possible heartburn triggers include coffee, alcohol, fatty and fried foods, chocolate, peppermint, spicy foods, tomatoes and acidic foods, according to the American College of Gastroenterology.
Treatment
Most cases of simple acid indigestion can easily be treated with over-the-counter antacids. People who frequently experience heartburn can also make some lifestyle changes and alter their eating habits to avoid it. For example, eating smaller, more frequent meals can be helpful, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Also, avoiding trigger foods and trying not to lay down within three hours of eating can help because that can make heartburn worse. Other types of medications that can be used to treat acid indigestion and GERD include histamine 2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors.
Complications
People who experience acid indigestion more than three times a week should see a doctor because of the risk of complications from GERD, according to Rutgers University. When acid indigestion occurs frequently and is not treated, the esophagus can become inflamed and the lining can be eroded by stomach acids. Scar tissue can cause the esophagus to become more narrow, and swallowing can become difficult, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Rutgers University: Heartburn
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gastroesophgeal Reflux Disease and Heartburn
- American College of Gastroenterology: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
