I have acid reflux. For the past year, food has been getting stuck in my esophagus. How do I address this?

Answer 1

I am not a doctor, so either way you will want to talk to them, but this is what I have to say as a long time sufferer of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.)!

Three part answer information, what not to do, and what to do!

INFORMATION!!!!!!
I have a very severe case of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.). I have had to go to the hospital for some of the heartburn that I have had because the pain can become overwhelming or your breathing can be effected. It can be caused by Smoking, Drinking Beverages with caffeine (My case), Drinking Beverages with Alcohol, or can be Hereditary

The good thing about G.E.R.D. is that it can be a temporary thing and can be cured. It is never a permit thing even if you end up with it for the rest of your life it has the ability to be cured.

WHAT NOT TO DO!!!!!!!!
In most cases, stress is a factor to the reflux if you watch what you eat and reduce some of the stress it will help. If you watch what you eat for about a week you should find relief, if you do not then that is when you definitely what to listen to the doctor. Things to watch for are as follows:

Fatty Foods
Citrus Foods
Foods That Contain Grease
Fried Foods
Chocolate (including any Coco)
Caffeine
Smoking
Alcohol
Tomato Based Products
Lactose

WHAT TO DO!!!!
The two foods that I recommend is Black strap Molasses and Raw honey. The apple is better for night time reflux while these will work for just about all of it. What you will do is take about a tsp. of whatever one you chose. Molasses being the better because of strength and nutrition, but must be use to the taste. What the substance will do is stick to the sides of the esophagus and do two things, one is heal and the other is protect.
On the healing end, both substances have a healing property in them, and as they sit on the walls of the esophagus they will heal it. This is also helpful if you have a sore throat in the morning from refluxing.
On the protection end, both substances are high in sugar and when acid that is refluxed comes up to that the sugar will neutralize it and it will not longer be a problem at that point.

I would also look to putting Cinnamon in you diet, it has been know to help with digestion and will help you reduce the amount of acid needed to brake down food, therefore causing you to reflux less.

Answer 2

It is a condition know as a stricture. It is sometimes related to acid reflux. I know. I had it too. Go to a gastroenterologist. Get a referral from your MD. It needs to be scoped. 2 reasons for this. 1 they will fix the stricture. What a relief. I can eat again. Usually breads and meats are the main problems. Reason 2. the reflux can lead to a condition called Barretts Esophagitus. This is a condition caused by the acid changing the cell structure in the esophagus. It is a precancerous condition. Get it checked out. The scope is a piece of cake. You go to sleep and 15 minutes later you wake up. Get it done. Don't take any chances with this. Not trying to scare you, just the facts. It's pleasure to eat in comfort again. Good luck.

Answer 3

food getting stuck in your esophagus is not part of acid reflux. Sounds more like a hiatal hernia. Acid reflux is more noticed at night or when laying down. It is a burning in your esophagus caused by acid leaking back out of your stomach. the treatmant for acid reflux is simple, taking a med like "nexium" will stop it quickly. although you must remain on the med. Others have controlled it by watching what they eat. no spicey foods, no greasy foods, no soda or coffee etc and no food after 6pm. Acid reflux left untreated can lead to cancer. If treated, it is harmless. As for Hiatal hernia, which is a tear in the esophagus, it is treated by surgical repair.
Hope this helps

Answer 4

As always, consult with a specialist or two or three in this area regarding treatment.

A fellow I knew who had this problem had a balloon type device used to enlarge his esophagus so that it would no longer cause him to choke as often. Think of someone having an artery to their heart expanded--same concept. Also you need to have the base cause of your reflux treated or this procedure will only provide temporary relief and it will be repeated or stop working for you!

Answer 5

Doing these things really helped me...

1) Avoid caffeine and spicy foods
2) Avoid eating at least 2 hours before laying down
3) Take two TUMS immediately after a "problem meal" to keep the acid down
4) Don't drink until you've finished eating
5) Eat more slowly

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

It sounds like you will need to go see a Gastroenterologist , a doctor that specializes in stomach problems. My wife works for one and they look into these kinds of problems all the time.

Many times they will need to use a scope to look down into your throat and stomach to see what is wrong.

Answer 7

you need to go see a doctor to make sure it has not done any damage to your esophagus. Then they can put you on medicine to help correct it.