This is very common. Small amount of your stomach content (acid) leaks out of your stomach into your “swallow pipe”, oesophagus.

 

Symptoms:

- Heartburn – a burning chest or throat

- A bad taste in your mouth

- Difficulty or painful swallowing.

 

Causes:

The most common cause is that the muscle between your stomach and oesophagus, is not working properly, and thus allows food to leak back.

 

Being overweight, pregnant or eating a high fat diet can also lead to Reflux.

 

Treatment:

The first step is to change your diet. This means eating frequent, smaller meals.

 

If changing your diet doesn’t work, the next step will be medication to neutralise the acids in your stomach.

 

If your symptoms persist, despite your diet and your treatment, surgery might be required.