GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX
Understanding Gastroesophageal Reflux
It is a condition where the acidic content from your stomach travels back into the food pipe (called oesophagus). This acid reflux causes a heartburn. Unrelated to the heart, a heartburn is a burning sensation behind the breastbone, oving up to the neck and throat. This is absolutely normal and occurs nearly to everyone at some point in life. However, you might be experiencing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) if you have heartburn (or reflux) epeatedly; 2 or more times/week persistently. It is usually caused by the failure of the muscle valve between the tomach and the food pipe. Here, the backflow of stomach acid irritates the lining of the food pipe and causes eartburn. Gastroesophageal Reflux in kalyan
How do I recognize the symptoms?
• Burning sensation in your chest (heartburn) lasting as long as 2 hours
• Burping (a reflex that expels gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth)
• Chronic sore throat
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Nausea
• Bad breath
• Vomiting
• A lump in your throat
NOTE: Chest pain can also be due to heart disease. So be sure to call your doctor immediately if you have chest pain ithout mistaking it for acid reflux pain. Sometimes, there are no symptoms, and you only find out that you have GERD if it causes other problems.
If you have acid reflux at night, you may also have:
• Post infectious cough
• Laryngitis (Voice box inflammation)
• Asthma that comes on suddenly or gets worse
• Sleep problems
Gastroesophageal Reflux in kalyan
How to manage GERD?
Lifestyle modifications to make:
Get enough sleep and minimize stress
• Elevate the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches
• Wear loose clothes
• Include exercises such as walking, running, cycling, and weightlifting
• Avoid lying down for at least 2 hours after a meal
• Avoid bending forward at the waist
• Track Your Triggers
• Make notes to help you identify what leads to heartburn
What is the future prognosis for GERD?
GERD can limit your daily activities but it’s rarely life-threatening. Consult
your doctor on daily basis and follow proper treatment to manage the
condition.
What complications can I face if GERD is left untreated?
Overtime, untreated GERD may cause:
Esophagitis:
• This is an irritation and inflammation of the lining of the food pipe caused
by stomach acid. This may sometimes lead to ulcer formation which may
be painful and may also bleed
Trouble swallowing:
• You may face difficulty in swallowing if you face acid reflux persistently
Barrett’s oesophagus:
• Changes in the cells of oesophagus (food pipe) that may be precancerous
Oesophageal cancer:
• Years of persistent exposure of stomach acid may cause cancer of
oesophagus
Doctors mostly look at GERD as a cause of asthma if:
• Asthma begins in adulthood
• Asthma symptoms get worse after a meal, exercise, at night and after
lying down
• Asthma doesn’t get better with standard asthma treatments
