When does gastro-oesophageal reflux occur?
Symptoms typically occur after over eating a large or fatty meal or drinking alcohol. Lying down, bending over or bending and lifting can all cause reflux. It is made worse by smoking. The frequency with which the symptoms occur varies. For most people, they are rare but weekly and daily episodes of refluxes are not uncommon sometimes even 10 times a day. Does gastro-oesophageal reflux affect your health? It is an unpleasant condition that can have a big influence on your lifestyle. Many people feel that their quality of life is lowered by the symptoms. Prolonged exposure to refluxed acid leads to oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus). Long-standing oesophagitis may be complicated by the formation of scar tissue that contracts and results in a narrowing (stricture) in the affected part of the oesophagus. This can make it difficult or even impossible to swallow. It is a serious condition that requires urgent assessment and treatment, but, fortunately, this complication is relati
