Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is a type of digestive disorder in which the foods or fluids tend to travel backwards. The foods travel from the stomach to the esophagus, which is the tube from our mouth to stomach. This opposite action can cause irritation in the esophagus, thus resulting in heartburn and similar other symptoms. The disease is also recognized as Peptic esophagitis, GERD and Reflux esophagitis.

 

Gastroesophageal reflux is one of the most common conditions that doesn’t have any particular symptoms as such, but is triggered after meals. In some cases, the reflux is often related to certain problems with lower esophageal sphincter and a band of several muscle fibers that generally closes the esophagus from our stomach. If the sphincter isn’t properly closed, foods and fluids would move backward and get into the esophagus once again and this is exactly what happens in case of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD.

 

Reflux also includes various risk factors, such as scleroderma, pregnancy and hiatal hernia.

 

Studies have also added that obesity contributes largely to the gastro esophageal reflux.

 

The Common Symptoms

 

Some of the common symptoms of GERD are:

 

4     Heartburn: includes a pain and burning sensation in the chest, just below the breast bone. The symptoms are aggravated by stooping, bending, eating or even lying down. Antacids act as instant relief for these symptoms. The symptoms then to worsen at night

4      Food Regurgitation

4     Belching

4     Nausea

4     Vomiting

4     Hoarseness / voice change

4     Sore throat

4     Difficulties in swallowing food

4     Coughing or wheezing

 

Diagnosis:

 

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease can be diagnosed by a few tests, such as-

 

4     Stool quaiac found positive.

4     Constant monitoring if esophageal pH that shows reflux.

4     Endoscopy revealing any form of inflammation or ulceration of esophagus.

4     Esophageal manometry revealing abnormalities in the sphincter pressure.

4     Bariun swallow revealing reflux.

4     Bernstein tests needed for gastric acid reflux found positive.

 

Treatment

 

General treatment measures include

 

4     Weight reduction

4     Avoid lying down right after your meals.

4     Sleep on a bed with your head in elevated position.

4     Drink plenty of water after taking medicines.

4     Avoid having dietary fat, caffeine, chocolates and peppermint as they can lead to lower esophageal pressure.

4     Don’t smoke or drink.

 

Medications-

 

4     Antacids to be taken after meals and also before going to bed.

4     Promotility agents.

4     Histaine H2 receptor blockers.

4     Proton pump inhibitors.

 

Any type of digestive disorder is complicated in nature and might not be treated completely. As the cause of these disorders is not known yet, it is often difficult to even predict the best possible medications for the complication. However, with the improvement in science and medication some causes have been derived and essential treatment options have also been found. Some people often get relief by taking antacids and similar other medications for digestive disorders like gastroesophagel reflux, but in some cases, the treatment fails to work. Though it is easy to diagnose the disorders through tests and examinations, but it is very difficult to find the root cause of the same. In such cases, doctors often prescribe the general medications for treatment.

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Filed under: Digestive Disorders Treatment

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