Referred to – gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the condition happens when contents from the tummy flow back into the food pipe—the long tube that transports food from the throat to the tummy.
It occurs when the muscular valve – the lower esophageal sphincter – at the bottom of the food pipe becomes weakened as it has moved in proximity to the diaphragm or even into the chest, which impacts its function to permit food in and inhibit acid leaking out.
This can result in an array of symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, problems in swallowing, bloating, too much salivation, coughing, nausea and a hoarse voice, as well as teeth and gum damage, nutritional issues, as well as sleep impairment.
An Individual’s doctor may advise making lifestyle alterations and taking medicines to manage symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER)/gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In a few cases, doctors may also recommend surgery. To win the war against acid reflux, the following strategies could be implemented:
Lifestyle changes
Dietary Modifications
The first step in reducing GERD is often to restrict foods that set off reflux. These “trigger foods” vary from individual to individual but often comprise chocolate, coffee, fried foods, peppermint, spicy food items, as well as carbonated beverages.
Other Lifestyle Alterations
Apart from avoiding dietary triggers, healthcare providers may suggest several lifestyle changes a person can make to lessen GERD manifestations:
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One must Avoid lying down for a minimum two hours post a meal/post drinking acidic beverages, such as soda/other caffeinated beverages. This can aid to prevent stomach contents from flowing back into the food pipe.
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A person must keep their head raised while they sleep. Utilizing an extra pillow/two can also aid in preventing reflux.
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Consume smaller and more frequent meals each day instead of a few large meals. This boosts digestion and can help in preventing heartburn.
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One should wear loose-fitting attires to ease pressure on the tummy, which can worsen heartburn as well as reflux.
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One must cease smoking as it can increase the production of stomach acid as well as decrease the function of the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle that keeps acid as well as other stomach content from re-entering the food pipe. Smoking can also reduce the quantity of saliva, which neutralizes acid produced by the body.
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Reduce too much weight around the midsection. This can ease pressure on the tummy. Such pressure can force certain stomach contents back up the food pipe.
Over the counter and prescription medications
One can purchase many GERD medicines over the counter. However, if they experience symptoms that will not fade with over-the-counter medicines, they should talk with their doctor. Their doctor may prescribe one/more medicines to treat GERD.
Antacids
Doctors may suggest antacids to relieve mild heartburn as well as other mild GER and GERD symptoms. Antacids are available over the counter. Antacids can relieve mild symptoms.
H2 blockers
They lower the quantity of acid which the stomach produces. H2 blockers can help heal the esophagus, but not as efficiently as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
They lower the amount of acid a person’s stomach produces. They are better at treating GERD symptoms compared to H2 blockers, and they can heal the esophageal lining in the majority of individuals with GERD.
They are generally safe and effective. Side effects are less common and may comprise headache, diarrhoea, as well as upset tummy.
Doctor talking with a patient about medicine:
A person’s doctor may prescribe one/more medicines to treat GERD.
Other medicines
If antacids, H2 blockers, as well as PPIs, don’t improve a person’s symptoms, their doctor may recommend other medicines.
Surgery and other medical procedures
A person’s doctor may recommend surgery if the person’s GERD symptoms don’t improve with lifestyle alterations and medicines or if a person wishes to stop taking long-term GERD medicines to manage symptoms. Individuals are more likely to develop complications from surgery than from medicines.
Fundoplication
This is the most predominant surgery for GERD. In many cases, it leads to long-term improvement of GERD manifestations. During the operation, a surgeon sews the top of the person’s stomach around the end of the person’s food pipe to add pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter as well as aid in preventing reflux.
Surgeons may carry out fundoplication as laparoscopic/open surgery. In laparoscopic fundoplication, which is more predominant, surgeons make minor cuts in the belly and use special tools to perform the operation. Laparoscopic fundoplication leaves several minor scars. In open fundoplication, surgeons make a larger incision in the belly.
Weight-loss surgery
It is also referred to as metabolic and bariatric surgery. If a person is suffering from GERD and obesity, the person’s doctor may recommend weight-loss surgery, most often gastric bypass surgery. Weight-loss surgery can aid a person lose weight and reduce GERD symptoms.
Endoscopy
In a few cases, doctors may advise procedures that utilize endoscopy to treat GERD. For endoscopy, healthcare professionals put an endoscope—a miniature, flexible tube with a light and camera—through a person’s mouth and into their oesophagus. Doctors may utilize endoscopic procedures to sew the top of a person’s stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter/to deliver radiofrequency energy to the sphincter. Doctors don’t utilize these procedures often.
Innovation
The new “revolutionary” device, RefluxStop, is fixed to the upper portion of the stomach wall and inhibits movement of the lower esophageal sphincter to hold it in its original, natural position as well as restore normal anatomy and function.
In a nutshell, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can significantly impact routine life, but with the right strategies as well as medicines, it can be effectively managed, and symptoms alleviated.
