Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a digestive disorder that occurs when gastric acid from your stomach flows back into your food esophagus.

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a digestive disorder that occurs when gastric acid from your stomach flows back into your food esophagus.

This chronic condition develops when bile or stomach acid enters the food pipe and irritates the lining. GERD may be indicated by frequent heartburn and acid reflux. Burning chest discomfort, which usually gets worse when you lie down, is one of the symptoms. Changes in lifestyle and over-the-counter medications typically only provide brief relief. Perhaps a stronger medicine is needed.

• 1. What causes GERD?
• 2. Diet and Lifestyle Changes
• 3. Complications of GERD
• 4. When to see a doctor
• 5. Symptoms of GERD
• 6. GERD Diagnosis

1. What causes GERD?

When stomach acid backs up into your food pipe, it causes GERD (esophagus).

To allow food to pass from the bottom of the esophagus into the stomach, a muscle at the bottom of the esophagus expands. And to keep food in the stomach, it shuts. The lower esophageal sphincter is the name of this muscle (LES). Acid backs up into your esophagus when your LES relaxes too frequently or for too long. This damages the stomach and creates heartburn.

Some lifestyle issues that can cause GERD may include:

• 1. Being overweight
• 2. Overeating
• 3. Eating foods such as citrus, chocolate, and fatty or spicy foods
• 4. Having caffeine
• 5. Having alcohol
• 6. Smoking
• 7. Take aspirin as well as over-the-counter pain and fever relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are among them.

2. Diet and Lifestyle Changes

• 1.To assist minimize your GERD symptoms, doctors advise you to undertake a number of lifestyle adjustments.
• 2. Meals and drinks that can relax the LES should be avoided, such as chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. If you experience symptoms, you should also stay away from foods and drinks that can irritate a damaged esophageal lining, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and pepper.
• 3. Consume fewer servings: Smaller meal quantities may also aid in symptom control. Additionally, eating meals at least two to three hours before going to bed allows your stomach’s acid to subside and allows your stomach to partially empty.
• 4. Eat gradually: At each meal, savour it thoroughly.
• 5. If you put your fork down after each bite, it could help you remember to chew your food fully. Once you’ve fully chewed and swallowed that bite, pick it back up.
• 6. Quit smoking: Smoking cigarettes weakens the LES. To lessen the symptoms of GERD, quit smoking.
• 7. Elevate your head: Using 6-inch blocks to raise the head of your bed or resting on a wedge with a certain shape can allow gravity to minimise the reflux of stomach contents into your oesophagus. Don’t support yourself with pillows. The stomach merely feels additional pressure as a result.
• 8. Keep your weight in check; being overweight frequently makes symptoms worse. When they lose weight, many overweight persons experience relief.
• 9. Wear loose clothing since tight clothing puts pressure on your stomach and lower oesophagus.
• 10.Acupuncture may also help.

3. Complications of GERD

• 1.Esophagitis – This is an esophageal irritation brought on by the acid in your stomach’s contents.
• 2.Esophageal narrowing – Also known as strictures, . This may make swallowing difficult.
• 3 Breathing issues – When stomach contents from your oesophagus enter your lungs, this occurs..
• 4.Esophageal Barrett’s – Your esophageal lining is impacted by this. It may occasionally result in esophageal cancer.

4. When to see a doctor

• 1. Your GERD symptoms don’t improve or worsen with treatment.
• 2.You’ve got fresh symptoms.
• 3. You begin to throw up..
• 4. You have lost weight against your will..
• 5. It hurts or is difficult for you to swallow.
• 6.You have a recent cough or breathing issues.
• 7. You occasionally vomit or urinate small amounts of blood..

5. Symptoms of GERD

• 1. Burning sensation in your chest that typically occurs after eating and may be worse at night or while you’re lying down.
• 2. Backwash (regurgitation) of food or sour liquid.
• 3.Chest discomfort or upper abdominal ache.
• 4. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
• 5. Feeling of having a lump in your throat

In addition to acid reflux at night, you might also experience:

• 1.A persistent cough.
• 2.The vocal chords being inflamed (laryngitis).
• 3.Asthma flare-ups or new ones

• A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night
• Chest Pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
• Sensation of a lump in your throat

Our Service: Best GERD treatment in Gurgaon

At Center for Digestive Care, we have the best Gastroenterologists in Gurgaon available at your service. Our doctors have vast experience in treating GERD and related diseases. We are renowned to provide the Best GERD treatment in Gurgaon and patients all over India.

6. GERD Diagnosis

You could require testing for a more accurate diagnosis if you have severe, persistent esophageal reflux or if your symptoms don’t improve after treatment. Your physician might carry out any of the following techniques:

• 1.Endoscopy: To check for tissue irritation or inflammation, your doctor will insert a tiny, illuminated tube into your oesophagus called an endoscope (esophagitis). A small tissue sample may be removed for additional examination if the results are abnormal or dubious (biopsy).
• 2. Upper GI series: Your doctor might perform this as one of the initial tests. Your oesophagus, stomach, and the upper portion of your small intestine are visible on this particular X-ray (duodenum). Although it only provides a limited amount of information concerning potential reflux, it can help rule out other illnesses such peptic ulcers..
• 3.Impedance analysis and manometry of the oesophagus: This test looks for esophageal hypotension. Additionally, it may reveal issues with the way your esophageal muscles contract..
• 4.pH testing: If a diagnosis can’t be made with certainty, your doctor may use this test to gauge the amount of acid in your oesophagus. It monitors how much acid is present in your oesophagus while you eat, move around, and sleep. This instrument is now more effective because to new methods for long-term pH tracking.
• 5. Feeling of having a lump in your throat

• Upper endoscopy.
  Your primary care physician embeds a slender, adaptable tube outfitted with a light and camera (endoscope) down your throat, to look at within your throat and stomach. Test results can frequently be typical when reflux is available, however an endoscopy might identify irritation of the throat (esophagitis) or different entanglements. An endoscopy can likewise be utilized to gather an example of tissue (biopsy) to be tried for inconveniences like Barrett's throat.
• X-ray of your upper digestive system.
  X-rays are taken after you drink a pasty fluid that coats and fills within covering of your intestinal system. The covering permits your doctor to see an outline of your throat, stomach and upper digestive tract. You may likewise be approached to swallow a barium pill that can assist with diagnosing a restricting of the throat that might slow down gulping.
• Esophageal manometry.
  This test estimates the rhythmic muscle compressions in your throat when you swallow. Esophageal manometry likewise gauges the coordination and power applied by the muscles of your esophagus.
• Ambulatory acid (pH) probe test.
  A screen is put in your throat to recognize when, and for how long, stomach acid disgorges there. The screen interfaces with a little computer that you wear around your midsection or with a lash behind you. The screen may be a slender, adaptable cylinder (catheter) that is strung through your nose into your throat, or a clasp that is set in your throat during an endoscopy and that gets passed into your stool after around two days.