Acid Reflux

[James]

(02-02-2013 12:49 AM)phoggie Wrote:  James,

This is from your website:
"..acid reflux, which results from the lack of stomach acid. A lack of stomach acid leads to fermentation by yeast overgrowth in the stomach and by fermentation of foods not being digested properly. The resultant gas formation builds up in the stomach and is eventually rapidly released up the esophagus carrying traces of acid with it."

What is a mystery to me, if this is true then why does it help to take antacids, ie. burning sensations and belching stop?? According to this theory shouldn't the opposite be true when taking antacids - further reduction of stomach acid and therefore more gas formation from the fermentation and hence more burning and belching? I'm very confused!

Antacids literally mean against acid. More specifically they neutralize the stomach acid. If there is no stomach acid present then there is no traces of acid to go up and burn the esophagus. Therefore, they mask the problem and make the underlying condition worse rather than correcting the problem.

As for the gas, many people actually get worse bloating from the antacids. Some antacids though can also act like a surfactant or contain added surfactants, which allow gas to dissolve in to solution thereby reducing gas bloating.