Gerd

Heartburn: It is a burning pain that moves up to the chest or throat from the stomach.

Burping

Bloating

Regurgitation: a sour acid backing up into the mouth.

Gerd Causes

The cause of GERD is frequent acid reflux. The frequent backwash of acid causes huge discomfort. However, certain conditions increase the risk of GERD. They include:

Risk factors (GERD)

GERD, termed Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, affects many people and is called acid reflux or heartburn. GERD can develop in anyone of any age group with unknown causes. A person’s risk of developing GERD increases as they age, as people more than 50 years old may be at the highest risk. There are many risk factors for GERD, some of which a person may be out of a person’s control, and some people may be able to change. There are many risk factors linked with GERD that make a person more prone: 

• Being overweight 

Being overweight or obese increases your chances of developing GERD because of an additional weight, causing pressure on the stomach. It leads to acid in the stomach and makes content travel back up your esophagus. You need to maintain a healthy weight as it will help you to reduce the pressure on the stomach and reduce GERD and heartburn symptoms. 

• Pregnancy 

Pregnant women are at more risk of developing GERD due to bodily changes and increased heartburn symptoms. The increased weight and fetus growth create pressure on the stomach that causes stomach contents and acid reflux into the esophagus. Pregnancy hormones cause the lower esophagus to weaken, allowing stomach acids to push quickly. 

• Exposure to cigarette smoke lifestyle factors 

 Smokers, past smokers, and people exposed to passive smoke are more prone to GERD. Drinking coffee or alcohol causes GERD symptoms, and eating large meals late at night can also make a person more prone to it. 

• Medications 

Certain medications and supplements also make a person more prone to develop GERD because it relaxes the lower esophagus and causes inflammation. 

• Other diseases 

Many other diseases or conditions put you at more risk of developing GERD, including diabetes, asthma, connective tissue disorders, etc. 

• Hiatal Hernia 

It is a condition in which the upper part of a person’s stomach moves up into the chest. 

• Gastroparesis 

It is a condition in which a person’s stomach takes time to empty, and delayed time can increase the risk of GERD due to food being in the stomach for longer. 

• Dietary risk factors 

Eating fatty, fried, and spicy foods makes a person more at risk of developing GERD. Also, sometimes drinking carbonated drinks can also increase your chances. 

Complications of GERD

Acid reflux mainly affects your esophagus, though it can sometimes get into your windpipe or airways. If the treatment of acid reflux is delayed, the condition may result in severe complications if chronic acid reflux persists. Some complications linked are : 

• Esophagitis 

It is a complication that can develop because of too much stomach acid, due to which the esophagus becomes inflamed. The condition may cause esophageal ulcers in which sores and ulcers develop, and they can lead to pain and also create difficulty in swallowing. 

• Esophagus stricture 

In this condition, scar tissue develops in the lining of the esophagus because of the damage to the cells in the lower esophagus. It is due to the constant exposure to stomach acids and scar tissue that narrows the wall of the esophagus, which leads to difficulty in swallowing. 

• Barrette’s esophagus and esophagus cancer 

The condition develops when normal tissue is abnormally replaced with different tissues that are the same as the tissue lining. If not treated on time, the condition may increase your risk of developing esophageal cancer. 

• Shortness of breath 

Also known as Dyspnea, the condition develops in which you feel that you cannot get enough air into the lungs. GERD can also be an underlying cause of asthma and overbreathing problems. 

• Aspiration pneumonia 

The condition can be caused by inhaling the stomach acid that rises into the throat and infects the lungs. The condition develops when a person breathes something other than air in the respiratory tract. 

Gerd Treatment

Over The Counter Medications

Medications like antacids, H-2 receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors, etc. are available that provide respite from GERD.

Surgery

Surgery is an effective way to treat GERD. The surgery is:

Stop Smoking

Smoking is strictly prohibited as it weakens the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) which in turn increases the reflux of stomach acid.

Say No to Alcohol

Similar to smoking, consumption of alcohol is also a strict no. It also weakens the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and increases the chances of reflux of acid.

Avoid foods that cause reflux

Fatty or fried foods like garlic, onion, ketchup, caffeine, tomato mint, etc should be avoided as they cause acid reflux.

Overeating should be avoided

Eating big and heavy meals causes acid reflux. So try avoiding them. Also, make sure you are chewing every bite of your food properly. Take your time after every bite and before your next bite.

Maintain a stable weight

Maintaining a healthy weight puts very less or no pressure on the abdomen. This prevents the stomach from pushing the acid and causing it to reflux into your food pipe.

Do not lie down immediately after a meal

Maintaining a healthy weight puts very less or no pressure on the abdomen. This prevents the stomach from pushing the acid and causing it to reflux into your food pipe.

Say no to tight-fitting clothes

Do not wear clothes that fit tightly around your waist as they put pressure on the abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.

Raise the level of the head of your bed

Try to raise the head end of your bed 5 to 6 inches to elevate your body from the waist up. Remember just raising the head of your body is not enough, you should raise the level of the bed for the best results.

Do not sleep on your right side

Sleeping on your right side may worsen reflux symptoms at night. Try resting on your left side as it will make you more comfortable.

Samadhan Clinic has the best gastroenterologist in Delhi for the treatment of GERD. Dr. Shri Ram Agarwal who has +20years experience as the gastroenterologist in Delhi treated many of the patient who has GERD problem.