Acid Reflux

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Acid reflux is a problem that occurs when acid from the stomach gets back up to the esophagus and causes damage to it.

The problem is mostly due to the fact that the lining of the esophagus is not meant to withstand exposure to acid. Most of our medical treatments are designed to cut down on the acid, but now there is thinking that acid reflux could impact the respiratory tract as well and lead to symptoms like chronic cough, hoarseness and sore throat.

Lifestyle changes can help reduce the acid –one of the biggest things you can do is not eat late dinners because your body needs time to digest food before bed. In addition, alcohol can worsen the symptoms as well. Acid reflux is far more common than we think and there is not a one size fits all cure –and different people have different symptoms. No doubt there are medications that can help but for many people it is just a bit of common sense.