It affects one in every 4 people and mimics heart pain: Common misconceptions about reflux!

The intense pace of modern life, stress, and unhealthy eating habits are causing reflux disease to spread rapidly in society. Affecting one in every 4 people in Turkey, reflux is not limited to just heartburn and can manifest itself with many symptoms ranging from chest pain to hoarseness.

Experts point out that the disease can lead to symptoms serious enough to be confused with a heart attack.

Acıbadem Taksim Hospital Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ebubekir Şenateş stated that reflux occurs as a result of stomach contents leaking into the esophagus and said, "It can lead to complaints such as difficulty swallowing, burning in the chest and throat, chronic cough, changes in voice, and nausea. Chest pain can mimic heart pain, and the pain can radiate to the jaw, back, or arm. This situation can sometimes last for hours."

Addressing the common misconceptions about reflux disease, Şenateş also touched upon ways to cope with the disease.

REFLUX IS ONLY SEEN IN THE ELDERLY: FALSE!

This thought/belief is not true. Reflux can be seen in people of almost any age. Moreover, today, on the contrary, it has become common in young adults, adolescents, and even children.

While the frequency of reflux in newborns is 5-9 percent, it is around 10 percent in childhood, and this rate can rise to up to 20 percent in the adolescence period covering the 10-19 age range.

REFLUX IS A SIMPLE DISEASE, IT DOES NOT CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE: FALSE!

Reflux is a very important disease seen in one in every 4 people in our country that can lead to negative medical conditions. Among these, it can cause very serious diseases ranging from the development of sores in the esophagus and bleeding due to these sores to cancer.

Frequent emergency room visits due to reasons such as decreased work performance, deterioration of well-being, and burning in the esophagus are also common situations due to reflux.

Reflux is a serious disease; if treatment and necessary interventions are not applied, it can lead to serious consequences.

NO NEED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR, A STOMACH MEDICINE IS ENOUGH: FALSE!

Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ebubekir Şenateş says, "When the underlying cause is a hiatal hernia, laxity in the lower esophageal sphincter, and other anatomical problems, sufficient precautions against reflux cannot be taken by using a simple stomach medicine.

In addition, if Barrett's esophagus has developed due to reflux without being noticed (which can develop in about 10 percent of chronic reflux cases), endoscopic follow-up and sometimes endoscopic intervention are absolutely necessary," he says.

REFLUX AND CHEST BURNING ARE THE SAME THING: FALSE!

In reflux, chest burning lasts longer, is chronic, and passes with anti-acid and stomach-protecting (proton pump inhibitors) drugs.

Chest burning can sometimes be related to serious cardiovascular diseases such as acute heart attack or aortic aneurysm rupture. When there is chest burning, it is absolutely necessary to consult a physician.

I CAN GET RID OF REFLUX ONLY WITH STOMACH-PROTECTING MEDICINE: FALSE!

Stomach-protecting medicines have been used in the treatment of reflux for more than 30 years. However, it is not possible to get rid of reflux with these medicines alone. It is essential to implement what is called lifestyle changes; regulations regarding diet, sleep patterns, and eating and drinking habits must be put into effect in addition to the medicines.

Additionally, if there is laxity in the valve at the stomach-esophagus junction or a hiatal hernia, endoscopic interventions (such as ARMA, Gerdx) or surgical intervention may also be required.

IT APPEARS WITH SPICY FOODS: FALSE!

Spicy foods are not the cause of reflux as is commonly thought. In a person who has reflux, spicy foods can make the symptoms of reflux more visible. However, the main cause is the underlying and ongoing reflux.

Anatomical disorders, excessively fatty-chocolate foods, overeating, smoking, obesity, pregnancy, lying down immediately after eating, some medications, and excessive stress can cause reflux.

THE ONLY TREATMENT METHOD IS SURGERY: FALSE!

Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Ebubekir Şenateş says, "Surgery is a method that is rarely needed in the treatment of reflux. Medications, diet changes, weight control, and lifestyle changes are often effective in controlling reflux complaints and prevent more serious consequences from occurring. Furthermore, endoscopic methods such as ARMA and GERDx, which have emerged in the last 10 years and are used all over the world, are also successfully applied as day-case procedures without the need for surgery."

REFLUX AND GASTRITIS ARE THE SAME THING: FALSE!

Reflux occurs mainly as a result of stomach acid leaking into the esophagus. However, gastritis is mainly the formation of inflammation in the stomach.

The causes, treatment, and follow-up of gastritis are quite different from reflux. Reflux is a completely separate disease from gastritis; its diagnostic criteria, treatment, and follow-up are also different.

IT HAS NO COST: FALSE!

The medical and financial cost of reflux is quite high. Complications such as sores in the esophagus (esophagitis, ulcer), bleeding, stricture, Barrett's, and the development of cancer are life-threatening.

For this reason, it is of great importance to create social awareness regarding reflux disease and not to delay its diagnosis and treatment.