Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Overview

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a disorder of digestive system occurs when stomach acid, food or fluids flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach and can occur in all ages of people – from infants to older adults. This phenomenon can irritate the lining of your esophagus.

Many people can experience GERD in their lifetime and mild acid reflux can occur twice a week whereas moderate to severe acid reflux may occur once a week.

The discomfort that a person feels with GERD can be managed through lifestyle changes and some medicines. If still you are not able to recover some strong medications or surgery should be considered further with doctor’s approval.

Asthma patients may face the worst phase of GERD and this can make their asthma serious. Also this condition can trigger some allergic condition and can make the airways much more sensitive to environmental conditions such as smoke or air.

Symptoms of GERD

Symptoms of GERD can interfere with your day to day life and can act as hindrance in your happiness since it is overly irritating. Here are some symptoms which can appear:-

When you burp
If you feel taste of acid in your mouth
Have heartburn
Acid regurgitation
Difficulty or pain while swallowing
Sudden excessiveness of saliva
Chronic sore throat
Inflammation of the gums
Bad breath
Cavities
Chest pain
Hoarseness or laryngitis
Disrupted sleep
Worsening asthma
Sensation in your throat
Lump in the throat
Heartburn which is worse at night
Decaying
Nausea and vomiting

Causes of GERD

There can be a set or reasons behind this disorder. Different individuals can have different causes of GERD. Factors that causes GERD are:-

Lower esophageal sphincter abnormalities
Hiatal hernias
Abnormal esophageal contractions
Slow or prolonged stomach emptying
Swallowing the circular band of muscle by mistake, which is around the bottom of your esophagus (this band allows the food and liquid to flow in your stomach)
Constant backwash of acid
Risk factors of GERD
Here are some common risk factors of GERD:-
Pregnancy
Obesity
Prolonged stomach emptying
Connective tissue disorders, like scleroderma
Bulging out of the top of stomach up in the esophagus
Some factors that may aggravate the acid reflux situation:-
Smoking
Eating large meals at a time
Eating some foods like fatty foods or fried foods
Certain beverages can also be the factor, such as alcohol or coffee
Having certain medications such as aspirin

Few complications of GERD

Esophageal structure: It deals with narrowing of the esophagus, stomach acid can damage the lower esophagus that causes scar tissue to form. This results into pathways narrow which creates difficulty while swallowing.
Esophageal ulcer: Esophageal ulcer can lead to a sore in the esophagus. This sore can bleed, cause pain and make swallowing difficult.
Barrett’s esophagus: It is precancerous change in the esophagus. This damage can cause changes in the tissue lining. This can be a risk factor in contributing to esophageal cancer.

Treatment of GERD

Proton pump inhibitors are majorly used pharmaceutical treatment option for the patients of GERD, these medicines decreases the amount of acid which is produced by the stomach.

H2 blockers: Another option which can help in decreasing the level of acid production.
Antacids: With the help of alkaline chemicals antacids counteract the acid produced in the stomach. They are easily available for purchase online, but at India’s best online pharmacy store.
Prokinetics: Stomach gets empty faster with prokinetics which can have some side effects, diarrhea, nausea and anxiety to name a few.
Erythromycin: This is a category of antacids which helps you to get your stomach empty easily.

Surgery option

If the above mentioned treatment do not helps to improve the symptoms they your doctor may proceed surgery, which is of two types:-

Fundoplication: The top of the stomach is sew by the surgeon which is around the stomach. This adds pressure to the lower part of the esophagus and helps to reduce the acid reflux.
Endoscopic procedures: This includes endoscopic sewing which uses stitches tightens the sphincter muscle or uses radiofrequency which uses heat which produces small burns and tighten the sphincter muscle.

Prevention toward GERD

Some healthy changes in daily lifestyle can prevent GERD, here are some tips by 3MEDS, medlife online pharmacy:-

Finish your dinner before 2-3 hours of sleeping
Avoid overeating and eat in moderate amount at a time
Avoid or quit smoking
Manage a healthy weight
Don’t wear tight clothes at night especially those which are tight around abdomen
Sleep with head slightly elevated and at a slight angle

Outlook

GERD is a chronic level of acid reflux which may later cause complications if not taken in consider at the right time. When you start noticing the symptoms then contact your health care provider and follow the given medications and advice. Along with medications and treatment, always follow a healthy life style to get recovered in a much better way. Be positive be healthy.