Acid reflux may be associated with impaired anti-reflux structure and function, decreased esophageal clearance, and decreased resistance of the esophageal mucosa. It is usually treated with drugs such as antacids, drugs to improve gastrointestinal dynamics, and drugs to protect the esophageal mucosa.
1.Causes:
(1) Abnormal anti-reflux structure and function: under normal circumstances, the resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter is higher than the intragastric pressure, which can play a role in preventing gastric contents from refluxing into the esophagus. Post-cardia surgery, esophageal hiatal hernia, gastric dilatation, drugs such as diazepam and other factors can cause transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, causing gastroesophageal reflux.
(2) Reduced esophageal clearance: The esophagus can clear material from the esophagus through its own peristalsis and salivary neutralization. When sleeping or lying down, the peristalsis of the esophagus is slowed down, resulting in part of the food and gastric acid refluxing from the stomach to the esophagus.
(3) Decreased resistance function of esophageal mucosa: Long-term smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating spicy and irritating foods lead to damage of the esophageal mucosa and decreased resistance function.
2.Treatment:
(1) Acid inhibitors: such as omeprazole, ranitidine, etc., which can inhibit the secretion of gastric acid and reduce the damage of gastric acid to the esophageal mucosa.
(2) Gastric stimulants: such as domperidone, mosapride, etc., to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis and reduce reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.
(3) Esophageal mucosal protective agents: such as aluminum sulfate, colloidal bismuth pectin, etc., to protect the esophageal mucosa and promote healing.
There are many other causes of acid reflux, such as indigestion, and there are many treatment methods. It is recommended to consult a doctor in time and treat it actively under the doctor’s guidance.