What can make acid reflux come and go if the patient avoids food triggers?
“Acid reflux is when the normal stomach acid regurgitates up into the esophagus,” says Jay Desai, MD, who specializes in colon cancer screening, upper endoscopy and consultative gastroenterology with the Endoscopy Center of New York.
Dr. Desai continues: “In most people it improves and worsens periodically. For example, in periods of severe stress, symptoms of reflux can worsen substantially.
“Acid reflux can also vary in relation to changes in sleep habits, so it is important to try to identify what exacerbates symptoms in each individual patient, and to try to avoid this.
“In some patients, when this is not possible, treating with medical therapy is required.”
If your acid reflux comes and goes with seemingly no rhyme or reason, then it’s time to keep a documentation of it.
- For example, does it seem to come more often when you’re sleeping over your significant other’s house?
- Does it seem to arise only when your in-laws visit?
- How about on the same days you have business meetings?
Over time, you may begin to see a pattern develop to your acid reflux.
Board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, Dr. Desai provides a wide range of GI services including for bacterial overgrowth, constipation, acid reflux and GERD, IBS, incontinence and small bowel disease. Twitter handle: @NYGADocs
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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