Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

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Is your digestive system having problems? Sometimes you can feel acidic gastric fluid flows backward into your esophagus. How do we know whether we have GERD or gastritis? Many people still confused about the differences between GERD and gastritis. Although these two diseases are similar, there are still differences. For example, in gastritis, the dull pain occurs at or just below the xiphoid process, but GERD will feel the burning pain at the same site or a burning throat or chest. Check yourself to see if you are experiencing any of these symptoms such as feeling heartburn and regurgitation. It maybe the sign of GERD. It cannot be cured by taking medication solely. In case the symptoms do not get better or have become chronic, the additional examination is recommended. You may think that it is not a severe disease but it should not be ignored. If you are doubting in yourself whether you are having GERD or not and do not know what you should do, this article will show you.


What is GERD?

GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition wherein stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the esophagus, causing inflammation and severe ulcer. Cause of GERD is the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach gets loosened and relaxed, while it should be firm and fit to prevent a reflux. This condition is also known as gastroesophageal junction incompetence. Risk factors of GERD are usually caused by an inappropriate lifestyle. The most common aggravating factors such as immediately go to bed after a meal, obesity, excess weight which increases abdominal pressure, eating sour or spicy foods and smoking, drinking both alcoholic beverage and soft drink can also aggravate the symptom.


GERD Symptoms

Most common symptoms of GERD are heartburn and regurgitation; however, there are still other symptoms indicating GERD which can be divided into 2 categories which are esophageal symptoms and other symptoms outside the esophagus. For esophageal symptoms, esophageal membrane appears normal, but a heartburn, typical reflux syndrome, and reflux chest pain syndrome can occur. More symptoms which can arise are inflamed esophageal membrane, narrow esophagus, Barret’s esophagus, abnormal esophageal cells, and esophageal cancer. Other symptoms outside the esophagus that directly involved with GERD are coughing due to reflux, laryngitis, an asthmatic episode, and cavities. Symptoms that may indirectly involve with GERD are bronchitis, sinusitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and otitis media.


Treatment and Prevention of GERD

We can treat and prevent GERD by medication, laparoscopy and surgery. The easiest way to prevent GERD is to change our lifestyle and avoid aggravating factors. You should avoid spicy food or food that are difficult to digest. Reduce weight also helps to prevent GERD since overweight can increase the pressure in your abdomen. Besides, you should eat a small amount of food per meal and wait at least 3 hours after eating by do not go to bed or lie down immediately and do not wear clothes and belts that are tight, especially around the waist. If the symptoms always occur at night, do not forget to check the head of your bed which should be raised at least 6 inches using a leg support. Furthermore, you should not use the high-bolster sleep method as this will increase the pressure in our abdomen and increase acid reflux.
 
If you have practiced the initial behavior change and the symptom does not get better, you must take medication to reduce the amount of acid and increase bowel movement. You should take the medications regularly as prescribed by the doctor. Although the symptoms get better, you should not reduce the dose, or stop the medication by yourself. You should see your doctor as scheduled and continually adjust the dose. If the medication is not effective as expected, the doctor may consider surgical treatment. This is to prevent stomach acid from flowing back up into the respiratory system and upper digestive tract. While most GERDs are mild, they should not be neglected without treatment, as they can lead to more serious complications.


GERD Conclusion

You will see that although GERD is not a severe condition, it should not be ignored even it has a mild symptom. GERD can occur in all ages regardless of gender. It can develop into a chronic condition and increase risks of complications if the patients do not receive a proper treatment. The practices to prevent yourself from GERD is easy as you should change your incorrect lifestyle which can lead to the acid reflux. To treat GERD is also important, it is recommended that patients should see a doctor to get a precise diagnosis and design an individual treatment plan together with healthcare professionals. We believe that there is no one wants to get sick or take medication for the rest of their lives. Hopefully that this article will benefit for those of you who want to stay healthy and avoid disease.