Please could you explain to me what refluxing is?
Reflux is the name doctors give to the passage of acid out of the stomach and up into the gullet.
Normally this should not happen as there is a valve at the bottom of the gullet designed to stop this occurring.
However, this sometimes weakens or works both ways so acid can find its way past and cause symptoms – this is occasionally known as a hiatus hernia.
Whereas the stomach has a thick lining of mucus to protect it from its own very strong acid, the gullet lining is much more delicate.
Any acid on it will therefore cause symptoms, and many people find these worse at night or when lying down as acid trickles into the gullet.
Typically these include a burning pain behind the breastbone, belching, pain on drinking hot drinks or alcohol (especially spirits) and nausea or sickness.
Tablet treatments are very effective nowadays too so if you feel you have reflux, do ask your GP to check you out.
The NetDoctor Medical Team
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