Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a digestive disorder characterized by repeated prolonged reflux of gastric acid. High stomach acid can blur and irritate the inside of the esophagus. As a result, there is a feeling of heartburn, which feels hot, a burning sensation in the throat (heartburn), and a sour taste in the mouth.
Everyone can produce different amounts of stomach acid. However, the production rate tends to increase after a meal because acid is necessary for the digestive process. Then the stomach acid will immediately decrease again. The USA Best Doctors provide the best treatment in medical field.
However, an increase in stomach acid can also be a sign of indigestion
if it occurs frequently or repeatedly. This is what is meant by
gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is GERD.
Reflux acid reflux can be classified as mild GERD if it occurs
approximately 2-3 times a week. However, the condition is considered severe if
the stomach acid rises at least once a week.
How common is this condition?
GERD is a digestive problem that is quite common and can affect anyone,
both men and women. However, the risk of developing GERD is usually higher in
people who:
- overweight or obese,
- have connective tissue
disorders (scleroderma),
- pregnant,
- active smoking
- drink alcohol often.
You can reduce your risk of developing acid reflux disease by avoiding
and controlling your risk factors. Contact your doctor for more information.
Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of GERD?
The main symptom of GERD is when the stomach acid, which must remain at
the bottom of the stomach and rises back. This is due to the opening of the
separating muscles between the stomach and esophagus.
Acid leakage causes burning in the intestines and chest (heartburn),
spreading to the stomach and back. This usually gets worse when you finish
eating, lying down, or leaning over.
Generally speaking, the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD) are as follows.
- Feeling that food is stuck
in the esophagus, difficulty swallowing, and hiccups.
- A burning sensation in the
chest (heartburn) can spread to the neck.
- Pain or pain in the
intestines.
- There is a liquid or food
that rises from the stomach to the mouth.
- Hoarseness.
- Sore throat.
There may be other signs and symptoms of GERD that were not mentioned above.
If you are concerned about a particular symptom, see a doctor immediately.
When to see a doctor?
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms such as
shortness of breath and chest pain. Especially if the symptoms of this disease
often appear or even worsen with each passing day.
Everyone's body condition is very different. This is what makes the symptoms that everyone feels different. Always consult your doctor for signs to get the best treatment for your health. The best doctors in USA provide more facilities in medical field.
Causes and risk factors
What causes GERD?
As mentioned earlier, acid reflux from the stomach is a common
phenomenon. This condition is most often caused by the habit of eating large
portions, lying down immediately after eating, or consuming certain foods.
The difference is that an increase in stomach acid, classified as GERD,
has its causes. The leading cause of GERD is the weakening of the cardiac
sphincter, the annular muscles lining the stomach and esophagus.
The cardiac sphincter should always be kept closed to prevent acid
reflux and digested food back into the esophagus. This valve will only open
when food enters the stomach in the mouth.
In people with GERD, the opposite is true. The muscles of the cardiac
sphincter become weak, so the sphincter can open even if the food does not move
from the esophagus.
If this condition persists, stomach acid can cause inflammation and
irritation of the oesophageal wall (esophagitis). This is because stomach acid
is a strong acid that is eroded.
What increases the risk of human acid reflux?
GERD can affect anyone and is usually more common in adults. However,
several factors make a person susceptible to this disease.
The various risk factors that increase the risk of developing GERD are
as follows.
- Are you overweight or obese?
- Has a bulge in the upper
abdomen, which can rise to the diaphragm (diaphragmatic hernia)?
- Having connective tissue
problems, such as scleroderma.
- For a long time, emptying
the stomach.
- In addition, below are some
other factors that can worsen the symptoms of GERD.
- Smoking.
- Eat plenty of food at once.
- Time to eat too close to
sleep.
- Overeating food that causes
stomach acid, such as spicy, sour, fatty, and fried foods.
- Drink coffee or tea.
- Drink alcohol.
They were taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as
aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
What tests are usually performed to diagnose this disease?
Mild symptoms of GERD can usually be treated with over-the-counter medications. However, if symptoms worsen and recur, your doctor will most likely recommend several tests to diagnose the cause.
The various tests to detect GERD are as follows.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy is performed by inserting a flexible tube equipped with a
small chamber into the esophagus.
The doctor may also perform other procedures during endoscopy, such as
taking a tissue sample (biopsy) to detect Barrett's esophagus.
Manometry of the esophagus
This procedure is performed by inserting a flexible tube into the
esophagus.
The test results will show how well the esophagus works, mainly whether
the muscles can move food smoothly into the stomach.
Measuring the pH of the esophagus
This test is performed by inserting a monitor into the esophagus to
determine when stomach acid rises back through the esophagus.
The pH value will show how acidic your esophagus is.
Image tests
X-ray tests or an X-ray of the digestive system are done to see the
general picture of the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine.
This test also often involves the use of barium fluid to refine the
structure of the digestive tract.
What are my treatment options for this disease?
The first step that is usually taken to treat GERD is drug use.
If drug use does not work, your doctor will usually suggest specific procedures to address the problems directly in your stomach. The best doctors in USA provide more facilities in medical field.
1. Take over-the-counter medications
Most GERD medications work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach
produces. In addition, several types of other over-the-counter drugs for the
treatment of GERD are as follows:
Antacids
This drug helps neutralize stomach acid with alkaline chemicals. The
alkaline nature of antacids will increase the pH of the stomach and prevent
further damage to the stomach from the effects of acids.
However, taking antacids alone is not enough to restore an inflamed
esophagus through stomach acid. It should also not be taken too often as it can
cause side effects like diarrhea, constipation, and kidney problems.
2. Take prescription drugs
Over-the-counter medications sometimes only relieve symptoms but do not
prevent GERD from recurring.
These medicines include famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine, which
can only be obtained with a prescription. As a rule, these drugs are allowed to
be used for a certain period under the supervision of a doctor.
Although an effective drug, H-2 receptor blockers, a doctor's
prescription should not be a mainstay for long-term treatment. The reason is
that with long-term drug use, there is a risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and
bone fractures.
These types of drugs include esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole,
rabeprazole, pantoprazole and dexlansoprazole. As H-2 receptor blockers
Prescription PPIs are well absorbed by the body.
However, there is still a risk of side effects such as diarrhea,
headache, nausea, vitamin B12 deficiency, and possible hip fracture. Therefore,
you must take medication as prescribed by your doctor.
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