Ever experience a burning sensation behind your breastbone? Then you may have GERD. This uncomfortable feeling known as heartburn is one of the symptoms of GERD, if had more than twice a week. Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is not closing properly or tightly enough. This instance would permit substances from the stomach to reflux into the esophagus. This would then cause heartburns. Other symptoms of GERD are hoarseness in the morning, having trouble swallowing and nausea. While some may suffer heartburns, some people suffer nausea which will result to vomiting. The appearance of refluxed substances in the mouth or acid regurgitation is also one symptom. GERD may also cause dry cough and bad breath.
Certain factors contribute to the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Simple practices like smoking, drinking and eating certain food that will lead the LES to loosen are some of these. Fatty, fried and spicy food; citrus fruits, chocolate drinks and coffee fall in this category. It is more likely for you to have GERD if you are also overweight and pregnant. Other factors that lead to GERD are: taking medications that relax the lower esophageal sphincter such as asthma and emphysema medications, having hiatal hernia where it is easy for substances to reflux because of the position upper part of the stomach and having scleroderma, a condition in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues.
Aside from having these symptoms, complications may arise especially if GERD is not treated immediately or properly. Among children, while GERD is common, it is often ignored. This will stem into other respiratory ailments or will cause excessive vomiting and coughing. Among adults, complications like ulcers and strictures may develop. The irritation of the esophagus will produce ulcer. The scars that ulcer produces will make the esophagus thinner and make it hard to swallow and may also lead to strictures. Fluid in the sinuses and middle ears are also some of the complications of GERD.
Upon having suspected that you have GERD, medical assistance should be sought. One must visit an internist, one who specializes in internal medicine or visit a gastroenterologist, a doctor who specializes in medical conditions of the stomach and the intestines. The doctors will usually prescribe acid reducers even without having tests. Other medications that treat gastroesophageal reflux disease are antacids, foaming agents, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and prokinetics.
Some examples of antacids are Alca-Seltzer, Maalox, Mylanta and Pepto-Bismol. Foaming agents like Gaviscon work to prevent reflux, H2 blockers hinder acid production in the stomach and prokinetics strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter and makes the stomach empty faster.
There are types of tests though that needs to be undergone to determine if one has GERD and how severe one’s condition is. Endoscopy is one form of test that will examine the inside of the esophagus and stomach using a tiny instrument inserted inside the body. A set of tests called esophagus testing will evaluate the condition and performance of the esophagus, while the upper gastrointestinal series is another test that will evaluate the upper portion of the digestive system.
If none of the medications is effective to the patient because of the severity of the condition then surgery is another option. Fundoplication is the standard surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. This operation strengthens the LES to stop acid reflux and this operation will also cure hiatal hernia. After surgery though, some patients will still be asked by the doctors to maintain certain medications.
Whether under medications or undergoing surgery, one common denominator among patients is their need for a change in lifestyle to prevent GERD. This includes cutting the habits of smoking, drinking, eating food that may trigger GERD and cutting on the pounds. Those that don’t have GERD yet must choose this lifestyle to avoid the disease. Other points for prevention are: eating small meals, wearing loose-fitting clothes and avoiding lying down for three hours after a meal.
