Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is an extremely common condition. This condition, which goes unrecognized by many who have it, is the frequent backwards flow of stomach acid back into the esophagus. Many people recognize when they have reflux; however, it becomes gastro-esophageal reflux disease when the presence of reflux becomes repetitive. Those with gastro-esophageal reflux disease may experience a number of different symptoms. When thinking of treating gastro-esophageal reflux disease, it's important to think about not only treating the symptoms, but also preventing reflux in the first place. While no treatment method is perfect, there are a variety of well-known medications and lifestyle changes which may make living with GERD more possible. It typically takes a combination of both these treatments to lower the amounts of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. It may involve getting more exercise or wearing different clothing or taking medications with symptoms.
Causes of GERD
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. Typically, stomach acid is prevented from entering the esophagus by a small muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter. When this muscle begins to work incorrectly or ceases to work at all, GERD may occur.
There are many things that may increase the chances of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Since eating certain foods is more likely to cause reflux, a steady diet of these foods are more likely to result in GERD. This includes foods that are high in fat, like chocolate or junk foods, as well as spicy foods, garlic and tomatoes. Different people may find their gastro-esophageal reflux disease triggered by different foods.
Activities like smoking also put a person at higher risk for gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Additionally, those who are overweight or obese may experience more reflux than others. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease has also been found to be linked to other disorders of the digestive tract, such as food not traveling at the right speed through the digestive tract.
Signs of GERD
The various symptoms may come and go over time, as they tend to be present when the reflux is most severe. Here are a few of the most common symptoms:
- Heartburn
- Nausea or Vomiting
- The feeling of a lump in the throat
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Heartburn is the most common symptom of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Heartburn tends to feel like a burning sensation in the chest or may cause pressure or pain. Those with severe gastro-esophageal reflux disease will likely feel more intense heartburn than those with a less severe form of GERD.
Symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Typically, symptoms appear shortly after a meal. Lying down, bending over or even sitting may increase the symptoms, as it is easier for the reflux to travel high into the esophagus. Many people find that standing up until a meal is fully digested can help fight the symptoms of GERD, especially reflux.
Treating GERD
The focus of preventing reflux from gastro-esophageal reflux disease is on lifestyle changes. This may mean an individual has to change the types of food they are eating, times they are eating, or amount they are consuming. Here are some of the top lifestyle changes people can make to reduce the presence of gastro-esophageal reflux disease.
- Eat smaller meal and more slowly
- Avoid foods that cause reflux
- Eat at least 2 hour prior to lying down
- Prop up the head or body while sleeping
- Choose loose-fitting clothing styles
- Quit smoking
If controlling the onset of gastro-esophageal reflux disease isn't enough, there are also a variety of medications a person can take. These help neutralize the stomach acid. Other medications prevent the stomach from making too much acid, which in turn prevents the acid from entering the esophagus.