Heartburn, properly termed gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD), is such a common problem for so many people. It is a condition in which the contents of the stomach, either stomach acid or food, are brought back up into the esophagus. Symptoms of heartburn include a burning sensation in the upper abdomen or chest and a sour taste or regurgitation of food into the mouth. Since this is such a common condition, it is not uncommon for divers to experience it and these symptoms most often occur while the diver is head down in the water.
It is important to know that not all gastrointestinal problems are cause for concern. Some people have gastroesophageal issues that are caused by changes in pressure. As the external pressure increases, a gas-filled chamber shrinks. It then expands as the pressure decreases. Divers frequently swallow air while diving, often during just small movements up and down in the water at depth. The air that is swallowed during a dive then causes the stomach to expand on ascent and the esophageal sphincter becomes overwhelmed by the expanding air. However, despite this being common, it is not cause for alarm as long as the diver does not frequently experience heartburn or this type of condition when on the surface.
However, for the diver who experiences issues with gas in the stomach and gastrointestinal reflux, on a regular basis, there might be a problem. If a diver only experiences an occasional bout of heartburn, then they can usually dive without concern. A person may know certain foods that are more likely to cause acid reflux and can avoid those if a dive is planned. However, if you at all question your ability to dive without having a bout of heartburn or if you know that you have frequent bouts of it, then you should beware and consider staying on dry land until the condition is treated. This is because diving can be exceedingly dangerous is acid reflux occurs during the dive. If a diver has heartburn while on a dive and there is acid reflux or regurgitation of food, this can easily get into the regulator and be breathed into the lungs. This can be fatal for the diver. As such, a diver with any concern about heartburn should not dive without consulting a physician and having the problem treated.
For the diver there are a number of things that can aggravate the condition of heartburn, including drinking alcohol, smoking, having a tight-fitting belt or wetsuit, having an ulcer or a hiatal hernia, or if a person is taking medications such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (known as NSAIDs), alpha blockers, or a mild blood pressure medication called Cardura or Hytrin. You should avoid eating any heavy meal before a dive and between dives, as the consumption of food on the dive boat between dives is a common cause of gastrointestinal problems on the second dive of the day. If you are concerned about the possibility of acid reflux while diving, then you should have some medication on hand that will allow you to treat the condition or stop it from occurring. This can be medication such as Pepcid or Zantac. A bottle of antacid tablets is also a useful thing to have and taking a few before a dive is wise.
Treatment for gastrointestinal reflux is generally done with medications or surgery. Mild cases are generally easily controlled with medications such as the ones named above and by avoiding foods that might aggravate the condition. If surgery is required, then an adequate period of healing time is required before diving can be resumed. This is usually at least six to eight weeks. The best thing to do if you have any concerns about acid reflux and heartburn while diving is to consult your physician. He or she will be able to advise you as to the proper course of treatment and whether or not you can dive. Once the condition treated, most people can resume diving and dive in a risk-free manner, which will allow them to enjoy the beauty of the underwater environment. Be one of these divers. Get your acid reflux treated and then get back to the sport you love.