Is my Acid reflux caused by too much or too little acid in the stomach?

So I'm experiencing:

• Acid reflux after a big meal and while I'm exercising.
  
• Used to get pain below the rib cage/chest possibly from heartburn, although I haven't had it in a couple of months.
  
• Heaviness in stomach after a big meal.

I've heard online that the common cause of Acid reflux is Low stomach acid/hypochlorhydria.

Two years ago, I used to experience upper abdominal pain 5 minutes after eating solid foods like biscuits. And I was put on 40mg Nexium(PPI) for 8 weeks. My doctor suspected that I had Gastritis since the blood test came back negative for Peptic ulcer. After 8 weeks, my upper adominal pain after eating was gone.

The most likely cause of my upper abominal pain was probably from drinking 30 - 70ml of 8 months old, opened, unrefridgerated red wine that was left sideways in a hot room and the liquid was in contact with the aluminium lid. As soon as I drank it, I realised that the red wine tasted very sour like a vinegar. And within 5 minutes, it gave me an intense burning upper abdominal pain(probably from stomach) which lasted for 10 minutes. Few weeks later, I started getting upper abdominal pain after eating. So I think the old red wine damaged my lower esophagael sphincter leading to GERD...

It's been 2 years but I still have Acid reflux so I decided to see a doctor. After talking to the doctor today, he said he doesn't think I have a low stomach acid problem. He said it's quite normal to have indigestion from capsicum especially if you don't chew them properly and it's also quite normal to feel heaviness in the stomach for up to half an hour especially after a big meal.

For my Acid reflux, he suggested treating it with 20mg Omeprazole Sandoz(PPI). I've mentioned hearing online that the common cause of Acid reflux is actually low stomach acid and that the treatment is Betaine HCI or Apple Cider Vinegar. But he said he never heard of that kind of treatment and they aren't medically accepted and I shouldn't believe everything from the internet.

I wanted to have the Heidelberg test done. But to do that, I'd need to see a Gastroenterologist and even then, he's not sure if I'll be able to have it done.

So should I listen to the doctor and treat my Acid reflux with PPIs? My only concern with PPI is that they inhibit nutrient absorption so I'm not sure if I want to take it.

Post Edited (Heinstein) : 3/26/2015 2:39:24 AM (GMT-6)

Thanks for the reply. When you say that you've developed delayed gastric emptying from taking PPI, was that a permanent or temporary side effect? I wonder if my permanent acid reflux was caused from taking 40mg PPI for 8 weeks which I was prescribed from the doctor for treating my Gastritis like symptoms? Because I don't remember having Acid reflux symptoms while I was dealing with Gastritis at that time.

I think I need to start taking my Acid reflux seriously. Because today, I ate 2 cloves of raw garlic for heatlh purposes. And when I began exercising few hours later, I had a Acid reflux from exercising and it burned my oesophagus because the garlic made my stomach acidic. So if I don't start taking care of my Acid reflux, I'm probably going to get oesophagus cancer one day.

I tend to get Acid reflux the most after eating Oatmeal, Big meal and during exercise.

Post Edited (Heinstein) : 3/6/2015 8:22:46 AM (GMT-7)

I wish there was an edit button on here .. What I was trying to say is people who have delayed gastric emptying have a difficult time eating... but especially eating things that are high in fiber and fat.