What is Acid reflux?
Acid reflux is when stomach acid travels up toward the throat and causes a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn). If that continues to happen, it’s called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

You might have acid reflux if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:

• Heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest
• Unpleasant sour taste in your mouth when the Acid flows back to your throat and mouth
• Stomach or chest pain
• Feeling nauseous
• Hoarse voice
• Unexplained cough or hiccups

What are the possible causes of your symptoms?

• Certain food and drink such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate, and fatty or spicy foods
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Stress and anxiety
• Certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory painkillers (like ibuprofen)
• A hiatus hernia , a condition when a part of your stomach moves up into your chest

What is the treatment for Acid reflux?
Lifestyle changes can help reduce or stop your symptoms of Acid reflux. Such as the following:

• Try to lose weight if you are overweight
• Raise the head of your bed by 10 to 20cm. This stops the Acid from flowing from your stomach to your throat
• Avoid foods that worsen your symptoms, such as coffee, chocolate, alcohol, and fatty foods.
• Stop smoking if you smoke.
• Avoid late meals and try to plan meals for at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime because lying down with a full stomach will make worsen your symptoms.

Your doctor may need to start medications to help with your symptoms:

• For mild symptoms, your doctor may prescribe antacids which may help for the short term with symptoms, or histamine blockers, which are more robust and last longer than antacids.
• For frequent and more severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe proton pump inhibitors, which are the most effective medications, including omeprazole and lansoprazole.

If medications do not help or your symptoms are severe, You may need a gastroscopy (a procedure where a thin tube with a camera inside is passed down your throat)