Acid Reflux Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is acid reflux treatment?
Acid reflux treatment is a step-by-step plan to keep stomach contents where they belong. A ring of muscle at the lower end of the food pipe, the oesophagus, normally closes after food passes into the stomach. When that valve relaxes at the wrong moment, acid and partly digested food rise upwards, causing a burning feeling behind the breastbone, a sour taste, or food coming back into the mouth.
Reflux also shows up in less obvious ways: a dry cough that lingers for months, a hoarse voice in the morning, frequent throat clearing, a feeling of a lump in the throat, or sleep broken by coughing. Treatment aims to settle symptoms, allow any inflammation in the oesophagus to heal, and protect its lining over the long term.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, reflux care is led by the gastroenterologist, who matches the plan to your pattern of symptoms, your daily routine and any findings from tests.
Who needs it
Treatment suits anyone with heartburn or regurgitation on two or more days a week, anyone who reaches for antacids regularly, and people with a chronic cough or hoarseness that has other causes ruled out. It also helps people whose symptoms flare with pregnancy, weight gain or certain medicines.
Some people need a direct look inside the oesophagus and stomach with a gastroscopy early on rather than a trial of medicines first. Your gastroenterologist recommends this for:
- Difficulty swallowing, or food sticking on the way down
- Unintended weight loss
- Repeated vomiting
- Symptoms starting for the first time later in life
- Reflux that has continued for years, or returns each time medicine is stopped
- Signs of anaemia on a blood test
Swallowing problems are covered in more detail on the swallowing disorder page.
What happens
Your first visit centres on a detailed conversation: when symptoms come on, what you eat and when, how you sleep, your weight, smoking or shisha, and every medicine and supplement you take, since some pain relievers and other tablets can worsen reflux. An examination follows, and blood tests may be arranged.
The plan then works in layers.
Daily habits. Finish your last meal at least a few hours before lying down, keep the evening meal lighter, and eat smaller portions through the day. Raising the head of the bed with blocks under the legs keeps the whole upper body on a gentle slope; extra pillows bend the waist and can push acid upwards. Sleeping on the left side also tends to ease night-time reflux. Losing even a modest amount of weight around the waist lowers the pressure on the valve. Common triggers include fried and fatty food, large portions, coffee, fizzy drinks, chocolate, mint and spicy dishes, though triggers vary from person to person.
Medicines by purpose. Quick-acting antacids neutralise acid for short-term relief. Acid-reducing medicines lower the amount of acid the stomach produces and allow an inflamed oesophagus to heal. Your gastroenterologist explains when in the day to take each one, because timing around meals affects how well they work, and then reviews whether the dose can be stepped down.
Looking for a cause. A breath or stool test may be arranged to check for H. pylori, a stomach infection that can cause indigestion; treatment is described on the H. pylori treatment page. Where symptoms persist despite treatment, specialised tests of acid levels or oesophageal muscle function may be arranged, and a surgical opinion can be arranged through General and Laparoscopic Surgery.
Preparing for it
Keep a symptom diary for a week or two before your appointment, noting meals, meal times, bedtimes and when symptoms appear. Bring a list of all medicines, including any bought over the counter, plus previous endoscopy reports.
If a gastroscopy is likely, your doctor may ask you to pause acid-reducing medicines for a period beforehand so that H. pylori testing and the examination give accurate results. Follow the instructions given to you. Information on comfort during the procedure is on the anaesthesia for endoscopy and sedation for procedures pages.
Afterwards
Most people notice improvement as the new habits and medicines take effect, and a follow-up visit reviews progress and plans for the long term. The aim is the lowest level of medicine that keeps you comfortable, and some people move to using medicine only when symptoms appear.
In the UAE, late dinners and large family meals are a common reflux trigger. During Ramadan, a heavy iftar followed by sleep soon after suhoor often brings symptoms on, so break the fast gently with water and a light starter, spread food across the evening, and leave time between suhoor and lying down. Shisha smoking relaxes the valve and irritates the throat, so cutting down helps both reflux and cough.
Call the clinic if symptoms return despite treatment, if swallowing becomes difficult, or if you lose weight without trying.
Chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw may come from the heart rather than reflux. Call emergency services or go to the emergency department straight away. More information is on the chest pain assessment page.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE insurance plans cover gastroenterology consultations, blood tests and reflux medicines. Gastroscopy usually needs pre-approval from your insurer, which the hospital team can request once your gastroenterologist recommends it. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between heartburn and GERD?
Heartburn is the burning feeling caused by acid rising into the food pipe, while GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) is the name for reflux that happens often, usually on two or more days a week, or that damages the oesophagus. Occasional heartburn after a large meal is common; frequent heartburn deserves assessment.
What are the risks of leaving acid reflux untreated, and what are the limits of treatment?
Long-standing untreated reflux can inflame the oesophagus, cause narrowing that makes swallowing difficult, and in some people change the lining of the lower oesophagus, which then needs monitoring by gastroscopy. Acid-reducing medicines are generally well tolerated, but they control acid rather than repair the valve, so symptoms can return when they are stopped, and long-term use is reviewed regularly by your doctor.
Can I stop my reflux medicine once I feel better?
Stopping acid-reducing medicine suddenly can cause a temporary surge of acid and a return of symptoms, so it is usually reduced step by step under your doctor's guidance. Your gastroenterologist will advise whether and how to taper.
Can acid reflux cause a cough or hoarse voice?
Yes, reflux can cause a persistent dry cough, morning hoarseness, frequent throat clearing and a lump sensation in the throat, sometimes with little or no heartburn. When these symptoms persist, a gastroenterologist can assess whether reflux is the cause and advise on treatment.
When do I need a gastroscopy for reflux?
A gastroscopy is recommended when reflux comes with difficulty swallowing, weight loss, vomiting, anaemia, symptoms starting later in life, or symptoms that have lasted for years or keep returning. It lets the gastroenterologist see the oesophagus and stomach directly and take small samples, which are sent to the laboratory.
Can I fast during Ramadan if I have acid reflux?
Many people with reflux fast comfortably by eating a lighter iftar, spreading meals across the evening, and leaving time between suhoor and lying down. Speak to your gastroenterologist before Ramadan about when to take your medicines during the fasting month.
Does a special diet cure acid reflux?
No single diet cures reflux, but eating smaller meals, eating earlier in the evening and avoiding your own trigger foods reduce symptoms for many people. Your gastroenterologist gives practical nutrition advice, and a detailed dietary plan from a dietitian can be arranged by referral.
Is acid reflux treatment covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover gastroenterology consultations, blood tests and reflux medicines, and gastroscopy usually needs pre-approval. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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