Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a serious condition which if left untreated can cause serious complications. It is seen that the content of the stomach is backed up into the esophagus and cause wear down of the esophageal lining overtime. It is also referred as heartburn, acid reflux and pyrosis.

Complications caused by GERD

The lining of the stomach is resistant to the acid produced for the digestion of food. However, the lining of the esophagus is sensitive to acid. Sometime, acid backs up to the mouth and causes damage to the structures along the way up. Some of the complications caused by GERD include:

• Barrett’s esophagus
• Narrowing of the esophagus
• Damage to the throat, teeth, and airways
• Erosive esophagitis

What are symptoms of GERD?

Heartburn is the most common symptom of this disease. It is a sharp burning pain experienced in the middle chest, which can extend up to the neck or back. Heartburn is felt more commonly after a meal. Some other symptoms related to GERD are

• Hoarseness
• Laryngitis
• Chronic dry cough
• Asthma
• Sudden increase of saliva
• Bad breath
• Earaches
• Chest pain or discomfort

GERD Precautions

Eat Slowly: It is highly recommended to take smaller bites and chew them thoroughly. The main cause of heartburn is eating too quickly. You must try to take small bite and eat them slowly to avoid filling up your stomach fast by swallowing air.

Avoid Overeating: The symptoms of acid reflux worsen with larger meals. It is noticed that symptoms like gas, indigestion and heartburn start after consuming a heavy meal. Therefore, one can try several small meals instead of three large meals to get some relief from heartburn.

Don’t consume foods that cause heartburn: Oily foods, spicy food, citrus fruit, salsa, coffee, sodas and many such food items can cause heartburn. Instead, one should include eggs, fish, peas, green beans, bananas, apples and cabbage in your diet.

Medication: There are many prescription medicines such as Nexium and other over the counter drugs available in the markets that are useful for controlling symptoms of GERD.

By changing your eating habits and what you eat, you can get some relief from heartburn. Try to follow these tips and keep a check on acid problems from occurring.

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a permanent digestive malady that occurs when stomach acid comes up to your food pipe, causing damage to the lining of your esophagus, triggering the heartburn. Most people experience this condition use antacids for relief. However, when heartburn and indigestion fail to respond to antacids then it would be necessary for the patient to see their doctor. Gastroesophageal (GERD) Signs And Symptoms:

• Heartburn followed by souring taste in the mouth
• Chest pain
• Dry cough
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Sore throat
• Regurgitation (discharge of substance from the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus, generally characterized by the presence of undigested food or blood)
• Irritation in the lining of the throat.

Factors Contribute to GERD:

• Obesity
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome – a condition characterized by enhanced gastric acidity due to gastrin production
• Hypercalcemia - this condition raises the level of gastrin production and thereby increases the volume of acidity in the stomach
• Scleroderma and systemic sclerosis which causes esophageal dysmotility
• Intake of medications like prednisolone
• PregnancySmoking
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Delayed stomach emptying.

How is GERD diagnosed? Gastroenterologist are physicians that specialize in digestive system and is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of GERD.  The gastroenterologist will not only review family history but may diagnose the condition based on symptoms and or an esophageal scope.   This is a procedure whereby the physician will use a scope with a camera at the tip to examine the esophagus for signs of GERD.  It is quite common for the physician to recommend  lifestyle changes in conjunction with the intake of H2 antagonist such as Ranitidine or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) such as nexium to treat GERD. If the initial treatment fails to respond, the doctor may conduct the following test:

• Upper GI series
• Upper endoscopy
• Esophageal pH monitoring
• Esophageal manometry

Treatment for GERD include Proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor blockers and/or antacids.  These are medications useful in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The post Gastroesophageal (GERD): The Most Common Digestive Disease appeared first on CanadaDrugStop Blog.