Acid reflux is more common than we think, but our understanding of the symptoms and its definition hasn’t always been clear, because it's easy to confuse heartburn with reflux. I never really understood until I struggled with it myself.

Acid reflux is formed when acid from the stomach flows back into the Oesophagus (the tube which carries our food from the mouth down into the stomach). Its symptoms are a burning sensation usually in the chest area and can leave a sour or bitter taste in the mouth.

Acid reflux can last hours. It is because I have Cerebral Palsy, and I was a premature baby that I have acid reflux. It can happen after eating certain foods or sometimes eating too late in the evening.

If Acid Reflux occurs more than twice a week, it can lead to a condition called Gerd with more serious symptoms including inflammation of the oesophagus (called “Oesophagitis.”) If left undetected and not treated sooner, a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s Oesophagus may occur.

Symptoms include:

• Heartburn;
• Bitter and sour taste in the mouth;
• Problems with swallowing;
• Feeling the need to expel the acid reflux;
• Feeling sick;
• Drowning feeling;
• Not being able to talk or catch my breath properly.

Reflux can be brought on through many avenues, but its main sources are stress, skipping meals or waiting too long between meals and eating the wrong foods. If we deal with all of those, we can usually limit the symptoms.

In my next journal, I will outline some of the remedies I use to help me deal with the problem. I will also explain more about the foods that can be another trigger factor.