Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a medical condition that is characterized by the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus because of stomach acid. The reflux occurs from the weakening of the muscles of the sphincter that closes the connection of the stomach and the esophagus. It is a very common condition that affects more than half the population in America.
Gerd affects people of all age groups including infants. Most people suffer from a mild form of GERD that can be managed by changing the diet and avoiding factors that trigger GERD like smoking and drinking alcohol. People who suffer from severe Cypress acid reflux require further testing by a doctor including imaging the upper digestive system to determine the exact cause of the problem.
What Are the Symptoms of GERD?
The symptoms of GERD worsen at night and the most commonly reported symptom is a burning sensation (heartburn) that is felt in the chest and may go all the way up to the throat. When the reflux reaches the mouth, the saliva tastes bitter. Other symptoms of GERD include difficulty breathing, chest pain and at times it may be difficult to swallow food.
Coughs that persist for a long period is another symptom of GERD. Difficulty in sleeping, asthma, and feeling like there is something in your throat are other symptoms. GERD in young children and infants presents with hiccups, choking, irritability, cough, difficulty in swallowing and eating, growth retardation and loss of weight, and refusal to sleep.
Gerd is diagnosed by taking a medical history to rule out other causes of heartburn, examining the gastrointestinal system, and doing imaging studies of the upper digestive system like barium swallow and oesophageal gastroduodenography (OGD).
The symptoms of GERD can complicate to cause narrowing of the esophagus which makes swallowing difficult and also the formation of painful ulcers in the esophagus which is due to erosion by acid. Barrett’s esophagus is a precancerous stage of esophageal cancer that occurs due to change in the epithelium of the esophagus to resemble that of the upper part of the stomach due to acid reflux.
How Can You Modify Your Lifestyle to Cope with GERD?
You should change your diet and avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. Some of the food types that are implicated in weakening the esophageal sphincter are pepper, oily foods, alcohol, and tomatoes. You should eat dinner 3 hours before going to bed to allow enough time for food to be digested in the stomach. It is also important to reduce the amount of food eaten at supper so that it is easily digested by the stomach.
It is advisable to avoid wearing very tight clothes, especially with a tight waistline to prevent the reflux of food. Losing weight is also a wise decision because excess weight increases the severity of GERD. Quit smoking and drinking alcohol because they cause damage to the pyloric sphincter. Sleep on a pillow and ensure that your head is elevated to about 45 degrees.
Who Is at Risk of GERD?
People who have hiatal hernia, those who are overweight, pregnant women, people who use NSAIDs, people who smoke, those who eat a lot of oily food, alcoholics, people with prolonged stomach emptying, and those with connective tissue diseases are all at risk of developing GERD.
Conclusion
Gerd is a condition that causes acid reflux from the stomach to the throat or mouth through the esophagus causing ulceration and may predispose to esophageal cancer. Lifestyle modification, medications, and surgery are some of the ways used to treat GERD.
