Acid reflux is a long lasting condition with frequent relapses in many patients. The problem resulting in acid reflux is directly related to the lower esophageal sphincter. When the LES becomes incompetent, no medical treatment will correct it. Acid reflux treatment is to reduce the acid level in the stomach refluxing back up into the esophagus. This means that the reflux will continue but the refluxate, being less acidic, is unlikely to injure the esophagus.

The lining of the esophagus does not cope with high acid levels as well as the gastric lining. Persistent high acid in the esophagus will result in symptoms and complication such as strictures, bleeding and Barrett’s esophagus. In some acid reflux patients, the problems can get progressively worse.

The commonest symptom of acid reflux is heartburn. Do not worry unnecessarily if you have heartburn. Most of us have heartburn at some time or other especially when we over eat. Usually a single dose of antacid settles the problem. However, if the heartburn pains return after treatment and become recurrent then the lower esophageal sphincter may be faulty and opens when it should not. Heartburn is present in up to 20% of the general public and of these up to 10% have erosion of the esophagus.

There may be factors that influence the competence of the lower esophageal sphincter and by eliminating them you may well control your acid reflux. On the other hand if it is true LES incompetence, then you will need specific acid reflux treatment by your doctor or surgery.

In addition to heartburn, acid reflux can produce other types of chest pains. This may cause concern to sufferers because there is a fear that it could be a heart attack and quite a few of these patients end up in the Accident and Emergency departments of hospitals.
Other symptoms of acid Reflux are dysphagia, chronic cough, acidic taste in the mouth, burning feeling in the throat, discomfort in the upper abdomen and chest.

In some sufferers of acid reflux there are the symptoms such as disease of the gums, persistent clearing of the throat, hoarseness of the voice,chronic sinusitis andbad breath.
In addition if acid reflux reaches as far as the throat and mouth, then dental damage can occur in addition to gum disease. The enamel of teeth can be worn down and caries can develop.
From the list above you can see that acid reflux can be a serious problem if not treated adequately. If the acid reflux treatment you are using at home is not working and you think you have gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), see your doctor.