Acid reflux is something many people have dealt with at one time or another. Whether it’s an uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest after eating a heavy meal or bringing up stomach acid when lying down, it’s generally a harmless but uncomfortable feeling. While the occasional bout of acid reflux isn’t anything to worry about, frequent or long-lasting symptoms may suggest an underlying health condition.
Learn more about how long acid reflux can last and how you can effectively manage your condition in our latest blog post.
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus (gullet), the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. This occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), a ring of muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach, does not work properly.
Under normal circumstances, the LOS opens to let food enter the stomach and then closes to stop acid from escaping. If this muscle weakens or relaxes at the wrong time, stomach acid can leak into the oesophagus. This backflow irritates the lining of the oesophagus and causes discomfort.
The most common symptom of acid reflux is heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest that can move up towards the throat. Acid reflux often becomes worse after meals, when lying down or when bending forward.
Learn more about the causes and symptoms of acid reflux in our complete guide to acid reflux.
How long does acid reflux last?
The length of acid reflux symptoms can vary greatly, depending on how often and how severely they occur. Some people may only experience it occasionally, while for others, it may become chronic (long-term).
Occasional acid reflux
For many people, acid reflux happens infrequently and is often triggered by certain foods, drinks or habits. These episodes usually last from a few minutes to a couple of hours and tend to resolve without medical treatment.
You can often prevent occasional acid reflux through lifestyle changes such as avoiding trigger foods and not lying down soon after eating.
Chronic acid reflux
In some cases, acid reflux can become chronic, which can mean it’s caused by an underlying condition called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks or even months.
If left untreated, chronic acid reflux, or GORD, may lead to complications such as:
- Oesophagitis – inflammation of the oesophageal lining, which may cause pain and make swallowing difficult
- Barrett’s oesophagus – a condition where the normal oesophageal lining changes into a type more resistant to acid. While this reduces irritation, it raises the risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus
- Oesophageal strictures – narrowing of the oesophagus caused by scar tissue from long-term inflammation, which can make swallowing harder
However, by seeking treatment for your symptoms, you can not only find relief but also reduce your risk of future complications.
When to seek help for acid reflux
Although acid reflux is a common condition, there are times when seeing a doctor about your acid reflux is important.
Signs you may need support with your acid reflux include:
- Your symptoms occur more than twice a week
- You have trouble swallowing or feel as though food is stuck in your throat
- You experience unexplained weight loss
- You suffer from ongoing nausea or vomiting
- You feel chest pain that could be mistaken for heart problems
If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a medical expert, like Mr Achal Khanna, for a comprehensive diagnosis and dedicated treatment.
Managing and treating acid reflux
Sometimes, you can manage acid reflux with lifestyle changes because your symptoms are triggered by simple things like food. In cases like this, you can effectively manage your acid reflux at home without the help of a doctor or upper gastrointestinal (GI) specialist.
Management strategies you may want to try include:
- Avoiding trigger foods such as spicy meals, caffeine, alcohol and fatty foods
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding lying down straight after eating
- Keeping a healthy weight to lessen pressure on the stomach
- Taking over-the-counter antacids or prescribed medication, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), to lower stomach acid levels
In severe or chronic cases of acid reflux, surgery might be recommended to strengthen the valve between the stomach and oesophagus. Surgery is normally a last resort, so your doctor or surgeon will discuss this option with you to ensure you receive personalised treatment.
Speak to Mr Achal Khanna for expert care
If you have ongoing symptoms of acid reflux, seek expert medical advice. Mr Achal Khanna, a private upper gastrointestinal surgeon in Milton Keynes, has expertise in diagnosing and treating conditions such as GORD. He provides personalised treatment plans for acid reflux, focused on relieving your symptoms and improving your wellbeing.
Book a consultation with Mr Achal Khanna to take the first step towards lasting acid reflux relief.