Reflux:There are typical (classical) symptoms that any doctor could confirm as a type of acidity just by an interview. A burning in the chest, started or worsened by a meal is a reflux which deserves a complete cure. Many patients have been through repeated endoscopies and have been given the same diagnosis – reflux. In the past, persons suffering from long term reflux could have been offered surgery as a permanent solution. Surgery is a good alternative when correctly chosen. Once done it may not be possible to undo it. Assessment of subtle “weaknesses” in the food pipe carrying food down to the stomach may need to be done by “esophageal manometry” and “24 hour pH metry”. With this information, the surgeon may incorporate finer nuances and safeguards in his surgical technique to give you a better outcome.

Ulcers:Burning in the upper abdomen that starts with a meal (or starts with prolonged fasting but is relieved with a meal) could be an ulcer, and will be identified by endoscopy and assuredly be cured. These are typical presentations of acidity.

Atypical symptoms:Cough starting with meals, a sore throat, sensitive teeth enamel, a wheeze, or headache relieved by vomiting are atypical presentations of acidity.

No one having any of these causes of acidity need to suffer forever. There is always a “vital thread” of information to be sought, and a permanent solution be found.