Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is when the stomach acid rushes back into the tube that connects your mouth and stomach regularly (esophagus). Acid reflux can irritate the lining of your esophagus. It can create hurdles in your day-to-day life and eating choices.
Many people suffer from acid reflux gastric problem symptoms. GERD is defined as a mild acid reflux occurring a minimum of twice a week or moderate to severe acid reflux occurring at least once a week. Most people can control their GERD symptoms with simple lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications. However, some patients with GERD may require stronger medicines or surgery to alleviate symptoms.
It is estimated chat between 8. 7 percent and 33.1 percent of the population in the Middle Ease suffer from the disease, which is on the rise in the region and across the Western world.
As per studies, the prevalence of GERD is noted among approximately 8.7-33.1% of the population in the Middle East. Over the previous decade, the UAE has observed an increase in chronic GERD patients. The accompanying rise in obesity rates has been the most significant contributor to the dramatic rise in GERD.
GERD is also often known as chronic acid reflux, and is defined by symptoms and/or tissue damage caused by recurrent or extended exposure of the esophageal lining to acidic contents from the stomach. It happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to seal off the esophagus from the stomach. Simply put – it is the burning sensation in your chest moving up to your throat, that usually mimics the symptoms of a normal acidity.
Almost everyone suffers from acid reflux at some point in their lives. It is very common to have acid reflux and heartburn on occasion. However, if you suffer acid reflux/heartburn more than twice a week for several weeks, consume heartburn meds and antacids regularly, and if your symptoms persist, you may have GERD. In such cases, you should visit and get treated by a doctor. This is important, because GERD symptoms can elevate and can also progress into more severe problems, even cancer.
There is no single cause of GERD. It normally occurs when the entire system in your digestive system is not working efficiently. To further explain it: the LES is a circular ring of muscle located at the bottom of the esophagus. When it is functioning properly, it relaxes and opens when you swallow. After that it tightens and shuts again. Acid reflux occurs when this LES fails to tighten or shut appropriately. This causes the digestive juices and other stomach contents to move up your esophagus.
Other possible reasons include lying down soon after having a large meal, regularly having large meals, or hiatal hernia.
Acid reflux is the most common symptom of GERD. Acid reflux can create a burning sensation in your chest that can move to your neck and throat. This sensation is commonly referred to as heartburn. If you suffer from acid reflux, you may experience a sour or bitter taste at the back of your tongue. It may also cause food or drink to be regurgitated from your stomach into your mouth. Other GERD symptoms typically include chest pain, nausea, difficulty swallowing, bad breath, etc.
GERD is often diagnosed by a combination of clinical symptoms, reaction to acid suppression, and objective testing through upper endoscopy and esophageal pH monitoring. How to cure gerd permanently? Your doctor may order the following tests to confirm a diagnosis of GERD or to check for complications:
Doctors recommend that you undertake a few lifestyle changes to help reduce your GERD symptoms. Some changes that may help, are:
If diagnosed with GERD, your doctor gastroenterology specialist would most likely advise you to start with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. If you do not feel better after a few weeks, your doctor may suggest prescription medicine or surgery.
Over-the-counter or prescription medications include:
Antacids may be prescribed by doctors to treat minor heartburn and GERD symptoms. They are available without a prescription. Mild symptoms can be alleviated with antacids. However, unless you have discussed your antacid usage with your doctor, you should not use these medications every day or for severe symptoms. These medications may cause diarrhea or constipation as adverse effects.
The doctor may prescribe acid-reducing drugs for persistent reflux and heartburn. These medications include H2 blockers, which assist to inhibit acid secretion in the stomach.
PPIs also decrease the amounts of acid produced by your stomach. As they perform better than H2 blockers, they are more beneficial when it comes to healing the esophageal lining, which can get damaged when someone has GERD for a long period. PPIs, like H2 blockers, are available over-the-counter, and your doctor can also prescribe a stronger dose.
Medication and lifestyle changes are often used to treat GERD. If none of these methods work or you are unable to take medications for a long period, surgery may be the best option. Some common surgeries include:
The most prevalent GERD surgery is fundoplication. In many cases, it results in long-term relief of GERD symptoms. A surgeon sews the top of the stomach around the end of the esophagus during the surgery to increase pressure to the lower esophageal sphincter and assist prevent reflux.
A newer version of this procedure wraps the stomach around the LES with plastic fasteners using an endoscope (a tiny tube with a camera). It is less invasive than a traditional fundoplication.
The doctor will insert a small tube into the esophagus that will employ low-radiofrequency heat to reshape the LES.
LINX surgery involves wrapping a ring of magnetic titanium beads across the intersection of your stomach and esophagus. The magnetic attraction of the beads maintains it slack enough to allow food to pass through, but tight enough to prevent reflux.
If you have GERD and are obese, your doctor may advise you to have weight-loss surgery, often known as bariatric surgery. The most commonly recommended one is gastric bypass surgery. Bariatric surgery can help you lose weight while also alleviating GERD symptoms.
Acid reflux (GERD) has a fair prognosis in mild to moderate cases. Chronic instances usually respond to prescription medications, but severe cases may need surgery to avoid significant consequences. The symptoms of GERD can be managed. You should be able to control your GERD symptoms, if you change your eating and sleeping habits and use medicines as needed.
If you encounter acid reflux/heartburn more than twice a week for several weeks and your symptoms persist, visit your healthcare professional.
Drinking water can help dilute stomach acid and wash it down, providing temporary relief from GERD symptoms. However, it is not a cure, and other treatments may be necessary for chronic GERD.
GERD can be serious if left untreated, leading to complications like esophagitis, strictures, or Barrett’s esophagus, which can increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Managing GERD is important to avoid these complications.
Common symptoms of GERD include heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and chronic cough. If symptoms persist, a medical evaluation is recommended.
GERD treatments include lifestyle changes, medications like antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors, and in severe cases, surgery may be recommended after consultation with the doctor.
The main cause of GERD is the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which allows stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, leading to acid reflux and heartburn.
