Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a condition when stomach acids flow back into the esophagus causing damage and irritation. Symptoms include heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest or throat, difficulty swallowing, and coughing up sputum (phlegm).
Acid reflux can be a significant cause of low iron. This is because the acids in the stomach tend to seep back into the esophagus. This is done by opening up the lower esophageal sphincter or LES, which is located at the bottom of the esophagus and should remain closed, but usually does not. This backflow of acid can lead to a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. In addition, food may get trapped in the LES and aggravate it, causing inflammation, which leads to acid reflux and can cause damage to the esophageal lining. When this happens, the body will produce extra mucus, which can irritate the tissue and cause inflammation even more.
Acid reflux can be caused by many factors: an overproduction of stomach acid, failure of the valve between the esophagus and stomach, hiatal hernia, obesity; pregnancy; smoking; alcohol use, and certain medications. Some people will experience relief simply by avoiding foods that trigger their symptoms — for example, spicy or fatty foods can make heartburn worse for some people. Some medications, such as antacids or anti-reflux drugs (H2 blockers), are also available to treat symptoms. However, if these options fail, patients may need surgery to repair the problem with their esophageal sphincter muscle or fundus closure.
