Acid Reflux Treatments

Acid reflux, also referred to as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), is a condition where stomach acid moves up into the oesophagus and throat. It occurs when the muscles in the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) do not contract properly, resulting in the LOS muscles weakening over time. This facilitates the movement of stomach acid back up into the oesophagus, resulting in irritation and inflammation.

Acid reflux can be caused by various nutritional and lifestyle-related factors, including but not limited to:

• Spicy foods: Spicy foods, such as chilli peppers, contain the chemical compound capsaicin which can slow down digestion and irritate the oesophagus, causing food to sit in the stomach for long periods of time. This can trigger the production of excessive stomach acid, thereby increasing the risk of acid reflux.
• Caffeinated beverages: Caffeine can cause the LOS to relax, making it easier for stomach acid to travel up from the stomach to the oesophagus, resulting in acid reflux.
• Lying down immediately after eating: When an individual lies down after eating a meal, the pressure placed on the LOS increases, weakening its ability to prevent the stomach from being regurgitated into the oesophagus and causing acid reflux.
• Obesity: Extra body weight due to obesity can place increased pressure on the abdomen, contributing to the weakening of the LOS and subsequently causing stomach acid to be regurgitated into the oesophagus, resulting in acid reflux symptoms such as heartburn.
• Nicotine: Nicotine relaxes the LOS, making it easier for stomach acid to travel up from the stomach into the oesophagus. In addition, certain nicotine products such as cigarettes and vapes can increase stomach acid production and reduce saliva production, further exacerbating acid reflux.

Moderating one’s intake of spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol can therefore help relieve acid reflux symptoms. Moreover, it is advisable to sit upright after eating, try to reduce nicotine intake as much as possible, and eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the risk of acid reflux.

Recommended reading:

• 5 Common Acid Reflux Triggers
• Foods To Avoid If You Suffer From Acid Reflux

According to the NHS, the most commonly reported acid reflux symptoms are:

• Heartburn (which can cause a burning sensation in the chest)
• An unpleasant sour taste in the mouth
• A recurring cough and hiccups
• A croaky voice
• Bad breath
• Bloating
• Nausea

Learn more about how to relieve acid reflux symptoms in our Ultimate Guide To Acid Reflux.

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Omeprazole and Lansoprazole are among the most effective acid reflux treatments to relieve symptoms.

PPIs inhibit the activity of enzymes known as proton pumps which are found in the stomach lining and produce acid to help digest food. This mechanism reduces the amount of acid produced by the stomach, decreasing the risk of acid reflux and preventing irritation in the oesophagus.

In addition to PPIs, acid reflux can be treated by taking antacids such as Gaviscon Double Action Tablets and Gaviscon Double Action Liquid. These acid reflux treatments neutralise stomach acid, reducing the severity of heartburn, and inhibiting the pepsin enzyme, which creates acid to help break down food for digestion.

By stopping the activity of this enzyme, antacids further reduce acid production, providing relief from acid reflux.

Acid reflux itself is very rarely life-threatening, and occasional heartburn after a big meal is nothing to worry about. However, if acid reflux is left untreated over a long period, it can lead to complications such as inflammation or scarring of the oesophagus, narrowing that makes swallowing difficult, and, in a small number of cases, changes to the cells lining the oesophagus known as Barrett's oesophagus, which very occasionally develops into oesophageal cancer. Some people also experience a frightening choking sensation if acid reaches the back of the throat while lying down, though this is not usually dangerous in itself. You should see a GP urgently if you have difficulty or pain when swallowing, unexplained weight loss, persistent vomiting, or vomit or stools that contain blood, and you should call 999 if you have sudden, severe chest pain, as this can also be a sign of a heart attack.

There are several things you can try straight away if acid reflux flares up. Sit or stand upright rather than lying down, as this reduces pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter and makes it harder for acid to travel upwards. Loosen tight clothing around your waist, sip water slowly rather than in large gulps, and try chewing sugar-free gum, which increases saliva production and can help clear acid from the oesophagus. If symptoms persist, an antacid such as Gaviscon Double Action Tablets works quickly to neutralise stomach acid, while options such as Omeprazole are better suited to preventing symptoms from building up in the first place.

Acid reflux is often worse at night because lying flat makes it easier for stomach acid to travel up into the oesophagus. Raising the head of your bed by 10 to 20cm, using a wedge pillow, or avoiding eating for two to three hours before bedtime can all help reduce night-time symptoms. Sleeping on your left side has also been shown to reduce reflux compared with sleeping on your right, as it changes the position of the stomach relative to the oesophagus. If night-time symptoms are frequent, a longer-acting treatment such as Lansoprazole may provide more consistent overnight relief than a fast-acting antacid alone.

Certain foods and drinks are more likely to soothe acid reflux, while others can make symptoms worse. Non-citrus fruits such as bananas and melon, oats and porridge, lean proteins, and leafy green vegetables are generally well tolerated, and ginger has traditionally been used to support digestion, though it can worsen symptoms for some people if taken in large amounts. Low-fat milk and plain yoghurt can temporarily ease heartburn as they are less acidic than the stomach contents, but full-fat dairy can occasionally have the opposite effect. Water is a good choice between meals, and while herbal teas such as chamomile are often soothing, peppermint tea is best avoided if you are prone to reflux, as peppermint can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter and make symptoms worse. Our OneVit Digestive Health Complex, which contains ginger root and turmeric, is designed to support general digestive comfort alongside these dietary changes.

Yes, acid reflux can cause symptoms beyond the classic burning sensation in the chest. It can trigger a dull ache in the upper back, a persistent cough or hoarse voice if acid irritates the throat and airways, and, in some cases, a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest that can be mistaken for a heart problem. Because reflux-related chest pain and cardiac chest pain can feel similar, any sudden, severe or crushing chest pain, especially alongside breathlessness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw, needs immediate medical attention. Call 999 if you are ever unsure, rather than assuming it is reflux.

Yes. Gaviscon works differently to Omeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors, as it forms a protective, gel-like layer that floats on top of the stomach contents, creating a physical barrier that helps stop acid travelling back up into the oesophagus. It works within minutes, making it a useful option for occasional symptoms or quick relief after meals, whereas Omeprazole and Lansoprazole are better suited to reducing acid production for longer-term or more frequent reflux. Pharmica stocks both Gaviscon Double Action Tablets and Gaviscon Double Action Liquid.

Stress does not directly increase stomach acid production, but it can make you more aware of reflux symptoms and lower your pain threshold, so existing acid reflux can feel more intense during stressful periods. Stress can also lead to habits that trigger reflux, such as eating quickly, skipping meals, smoking, or drinking more alcohol or caffeine, all of which can make symptoms worse indirectly. Managing stress through regular exercise, adequate sleep and relaxation techniques can help alongside dietary and medical treatment.

An isolated episode of acid reflux, such as heartburn after a large or spicy meal, usually settles within a couple of hours as the stomach empties and the oesophagus clears itself of acid. If symptoms occur regularly, more than twice a week, this is generally classed as GORD, and without treatment it can persist for months or years. With the right combination of lifestyle changes and medication, most people see a significant improvement in symptoms within a few weeks.

Acid reflux is most often felt as a burning sensation that starts behind the breastbone and can travel up towards the throat, sometimes accompanied by a sour or bitter taste at the back of the mouth. It tends to be worse after eating, when bending over, or when lying down, and can be accompanied by a feeling of food or liquid coming back up, known as regurgitation. Some people also describe a lump-like sensation in the throat, or a burning feeling that spreads to the upper back or between the shoulder blades.

Not quite. Acid reflux is the underlying process of stomach acid moving up into the oesophagus, while heartburn is the burning symptom that this causes. Most people use the two terms interchangeably, and if reflux happens frequently, more than twice a week, it is usually diagnosed as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Indigestion is a related but broader term that covers a range of digestive discomfort, including bloating and nausea, and is not always caused by acid reflux.