Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastro-intestinal disease that occurs when food particles or other content from the stomach are drawn up into the esophagus. These contents often have a high acidic concentration that might result in pain and irritation. The esophagus is the body organ responsible for transporting food from the mouth to the stomach. However, when contents from the stomach are drawn up into the esophagus, it results in a high concentration of acid in the latter. This can damage its tissues and result in heart burns. Heartburns are some of the most common symptoms of GERD. Heartburn usually comes in the form of a burning sensation in the stomach that might extend to the throat, neck, and chest. It might also involve the regurgitation of food or substances from the stomach into the mouth. Also, heartburns sometimes cause bitter or sour taste in the back of the mouth.
Other common symptoms of GERD include chronic cough, swelling of the laryngitis and the vocal cords, nausea, swallowing difficulty or dysphagia, the feeling of a lump in the throat, and worsened asthma. While indigestion, heartburn, and acid refluxes might occur once in a while, it is important that one gets tested if these conditions occur more than twice every week, as this might be a sign of GERD. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has noted that approximately 20 percent of people in the United States experience GERD.
There are several risk factors associated with GERD. These risk factors usually range from lifestyle to dietary habits. For example, lifestyle factors like late-night eating, excess ingestion of painkillers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin, alcohol, smoking, and exposure to secondhand smoke can increase a person’s chances of having GERD. Also, health factors like pregnancy, obesity, old age, and connective tissue disorders have been noted to trigger GERD. Dietary habits include the frequent consumption of spicy foods, vegetables like pineapple, citrus, and tomato, beverages like carbonated drinks, coffee, and tea, processed food, and food high in fat are GERD risk factors and might also worsen existing GERD.
Gastroenterologists are usually responsible for diagnosing patients with GERD. To do this, they usually conduct several tests. Some of the tests include upper GI series, upper GI endoscope, esophageal manometry, esophageal pH monitoring, and impedance monitoring. An upper GI series is a form of X-ray that reveals physical abnormalities within the body that have the potential to cause GERD. Upper GI endoscope is an invasive technique that involves inserting a video camera into the esophagus. Also, esophageal manometry involves measuring muscle contractions in the esophagus while swallowing. Esophageal pH monitoring and impedance monitoring involve measuring the amount of acid in the esophagus while the body is engaged in different activities.
Because GERD is a disease that needs to be managed long-term, its treatment often borders on dietary and lifestyle changes. For instance, gastroenterologists usually advise that patients do not eat late before going to bed. It is best to eat at least three hours before you go to sleep. It is also important that you sleep in an inclined position and make efforts to lose weight if you are overweight. Also, it is important to avoid spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and greasy foods. Also, gastroenterologists might recommend medications like antacids and H2 blockers in order to reduce stomach acidity.
