Causes and Symptoms of Bile Reflux
Bile reflux is the back flow of bile from the small intestine to the stomach and to the esophagus. This back flow of fluid may cause inflammation in stomach and esophagus and which in turn leads to many other complications.
The bile is produced in the liver and is stored in gallbladder in a very concentrated form. Bile is a greenish yellow fluid that has a major role in digesting the food. It also helps us to absorb the fat and eliminate the toxins produced with in the body. If your food contains fat then gall bladder gets stimulated to release bile for digesting the fat.
A person suffering from acid reflux is prone to develop bile reflux also. Stomach ulcers are also a cause for bile reflux. Obesity, pregnancy etc are also causes for bile reflux. If you bends too much or lift heavy objects then it may result in bile reflux.
Usually food enters in to the small intestine from the stomach through a valve called pyloric valve. This valve opens only a little to allow only small amount of food to pass out and at the same time it restricts the back flow of bile and digested food from the small intestine. Any damage to this valve causes the bile reflux. People who had gall bladder removal or gastric bypass surgery are susceptible to valve damage.
Bile reflux and acid reflux have almost the same symptoms. Dissimilar from acid reflux, bile reflux cause inflammation in the stomach and esophagus and it may result in burning pain with in the upper abdomen.
Most of the patients may have heartburn, vomiting, nausea, cough and sound hoarse. At times they may vomit bile. Many of them feel a sour taste in their mouth most of the time. In extreme case the stomach ulcers, primary gastritis and bleeding may leads to stomach cancer and esophageal cancer.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms then better to consult a doctor.
