Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a condition where stomach acid persistently and regularly flows up into the esophagus.

When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach. Then the sphincter closes again.If sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens,stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus, often causing it to become inflamed. This condition is called GERD.(Gillson,2019)

Causes

Occasional acid reflux is quite common, often occurring as a result of routine habits such as, a large meal or an oversized serving of fries before bedtime is sure to flame up the heartburn. Fatty foods, late-night meals, and large portions are the three triggering points that increase acid reflux. In some cases, these factors make way for the growth of symptoms even for a healthy person who never had the history of acid reflux (Causes Acid Reflux, 2018).

Risk Factors

GERD occurs more commonly in people who are:

• overweight or obese because of increased pressure on the abdomen
• pregnant, due to the same increased pressure
• taking certain medications, including some asthma, medications, calcium channel blockers, antihistamines, sedatives, and antidepressants
• smoking, and being exposed to second-hand smoke

Symptoms

The main symptom of GERD is heartburn. Heartburn is discomfort felt behind the breastbone as a burning sensation. It tends to get worse if the person lies down or bends over and also after eating food . However, not all people with GERD experience heartburn, and there are other possible symptoms.(Gillson,2019)

• nausea or vomiting
• bad breath
• respiratory problems
• difficulty or pain when swallowing
• decay

Prevention And Treatment

GERD can be prevented in most cases by making the right choices in terms of lifestyle.

• .Eat moderate amounts of food and avoid overeating.
• Stop eating 2 to 3 hours before sleeping.
• Quit or avoid smoking.
• If a person is overweight, losing weight can help prevent symptoms.
• Do not wear clothing that is tight around the abdomen.
• Sleep at a slight angle with the head slightly elevated.

Treatment of GERD will often be treated with medications before attempting other lines of treatment.

Proton pump inhibitors are one of the main pharmaceutical treatment options for people with GERD. They decrease the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

Other options include:

• H2 blockers: These are another option to help decrease acid production.
• Antacids: These counteract the acid in the stomach with alkaline chemicals. Side effects can include diarrhea and constipation. Antacids are available to purchase on line.
• Prokinetics: These help the stomach empty faster. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, and anxiety.
• Erythromycin: a type of antibiotic that also helps empty the stomach.

If lifestyle changes do not significantly improve the symptoms of GERD, or medications do not have the desired effect, a gastroenterologist may recommend surgery.

Surgical treatments include:

• Fundoplication: The surgeon sews the top of the stomach around the esophagus. This adds pressure to the lower end of the esophagus and is generally successful at reducing reflux.
• Endoscopic procedures: This is a range of procedures include endoscopic sewing, which uses stitches to tighten the sphincter muscle, and radiofrequency, which uses heat to produce small burns that help tighten the sphincter muscle. (Johnson,2018)

References

Causes Acid Reflux Disease – What Causes Acid Reflux Disease – Causes Of Acid
Reflux Disease. (2018, January 18). Retrieved April 8, 2019, from
http://psychdef.com/reflux/causes-acid-reflux-disease.html

Gillson, S. (2019, March 19). Causes and Risk Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease (GERD). Retrieved April 8, 2019, from
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-causes-gerd-1741914

Johnson, A. (2018, June 7). Gastroesophageal Reflux. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from
https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/digestive-health/gastroesophageal-
reflux