GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a disease where patients suffer from senses of heartburn and acid reflux and sometimes are mistaken with cardiac issues because of chest discomfort. The condition has been highlighted in the media as one of the most widespread in Germany. GERD occurs when the lower oesophageal sphincter doesn’t close well after meals have entered the stomach, leading to a stomach’s backflow.
Food normally absorbed passes to the gut through the oesophagus. This leads to a sense of burning in the torso as gut contents are typically acidic. Hence, GERD’s level of seriousness is based upon the size of disorder of the lower oesophageal sphincter, gut contents, and strain exerted by the gut.
Causes and Symptoms of GERD
From first principles, whatever increases the back-pressure exerted by the gut can lead to the backflow of stomach contents up the oesophagus. These include issues such as diet and lifestyle. Binge eating, excessive alcohol consumption, and specific foods and drinks like coffee have been implicated with GERD.
Patients frequently complain of indigestion or heartburn, called a burning sensation along the chest cavity up towards the neck and throat. Often connected with an acidic or sour taste, the feeling of heartburn can last for as long as two hours and can be made worse by bending flat. Heartburn is frequently confused with chest discomfort due to cardiac causes. It’s very important to distinguish both since heartburn is treatable.
Treatment
Lifestyle and dietary changes will be the mainstay of treatment for GERD. It’s suggested to decrease the ingestion of acidic foods such as citrus fruits and berries that cause aggravation in particular patients. Control of functioning parts and decrease thereof will even help control symptoms of GERD. Eating meals at least 2 hours before sleep will reduce the prevalence of reflux. Cessation of smoking and a decrease in alcohol consumption will help GERD.
Beyond dietary and lifestyle modifications, drugs like antacids help fight symptoms brought on by stomach acids and also may offer partial relief. Patients with persistent GERD despite the remedies, as mentioned above, may require more invasive diagnoses, including having endoscopy of the stomach done to exclude other issues such as peptic ulcers.