Almost everyone will experience acid reflux once in a while, but it might be a problem when it occurs almost every day! Do you experience frequent intense heartburn after eating or while lying down? It is advisable to see a doctor because those are signs of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
This is the irritation of the esophagus when stomach acid or bile finds its way through. It is mostly accompanied by symptoms such as heartburn.
If you have acid reflux often and it significantly affects your life, you might have GERD. It’s worth talking to a healthcare provider.
What is GERD?
Before defining GERD, let’s understand acid reflux. Acid reflux happens when the stomach contents move up into the esophagus. This happens to everyone once in a while, that’s normal. Here, the lower esophageal sphincter(LES) does not remain contracted enough to hold the contents of your stomach in place.
GERD, on the other hand, is a medical term for frequent, chronic acid reflux in your esophagus which causes pain and may even cause damage to your esophagus, pharynx, or respiratory tract.
As a rule of thumb, when acid reflux happens rarely it is normal but when it is frequent and severe it could be GERD.
GERD is constant while acid reflux is temporal.
Stomach acids within the body are important for digestion. In a healthy individual, the stomach itself can withstand all that acidity without hurting. When it can’t such a person has an ulcer. That’s not the same for the esophagus. The esophagus’s function does not include retaining acids for digestion. Therefore, when the mechanisms in charge of keeping acid out of the esophagus aren’t working right, there would be trouble. GERD can lead to damage to your esophagus tissues.
Symptoms of GERD
A burning sensation
Acid generally causes burns thus; your tissues are affected. If you experience the fiery pain in your chest, it is called heartburn. Note that heartburn is also experienced in acid reflux which may not be GERD and your doctor might need to run further tests and observe other symptoms to diagnose GERD.
Nausea
When there is an overflow of acid, you are likely to feel irritated. You will likely lose your appetite because your system isn’t yet settled.
Sore throat
When acid reflux finds its way to your throat or esophagus, it would make it sore, swell, hoarse, and might likely come as a lump. This reflux often occurs at night and it can be very uncomfortable when frequent.
Shortage of breath
When acid reflux gets into your airway causing it to swell. While asleep or lying down it can be life-threatening, especially when it happens at night because it triggers chronic coughing and gasping for breath.
Regurgitation
This occurs when there is a backwash of acid up your throat. You are likely to feel a burning sensation followed by a sour/bitter taste.
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Risk factors of GERD
Obesity
The pressure and volume in your abdomen would increase due to obesity. This happens also during pregnancy, but obesity has more lasting effects. It tends to weaken your muscles more permanently which often results in hiatal hernia.
Smoking
This is one lifestyle that is detrimental to your health. When you smoke or are around those who smoke, your lower esophageal sphincter, LES is relaxed. Chronic coughing is also triggered by smoking tobacco which in turn weakens your diaphragm muscles. If you are addicted to smoking, your digestion is also slowed down increasing your chances of acid reflux.
Birth defects
Sometimes, GERD comes as a result of a congenital defect. These defects can be congenital defects which are mostly seen as hiatal hernias. This is when part of the stomach extends through an opening of the diaphragm.
Connective tissue diseases(CTDs)
Your connective tissues are also prone to diseases that can result in GERD. Scleroderma is one disease that is likely to affect the muscles of your esophagus.
Surgery injuries
If you have had surgeries in your chest or upper abdomen and you experience frequent chest pain or acid reflux, your esophagus may have been injured during the surgery.
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Fatty Food
The acid in your stomach is increased by the excess intake of fatty food. It makes digestion take longer. This also happens when you lie down immediately after having a heavy meal which oftentimes has more fats.
GERD treatment
Self-medication is not advisable. Check-in with your doctor to be properly diagnosed and then treated. Typically, dietary and lifestyle changes are the first steps in treating GERD.
Lifestyle changes
- Avoiding acid-inducing foods, e.g caffeinated beverages
- Losing weight if you’re obese
- Avoiding foods that interfere with peristalsis (the downward movement of muscles in the digestive tract), e.g acidic liquids, alcohol, and coffee
- Eating 2 to 3 hours before bed
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding foods that are slow to digest, eg. fatty foods
- Avoiding large meals
Medication
If GERD is not solved with lifestyle or dietary changes your doctor may prescribe either or both classes of medication. One type increases the level of peristalsis in the upper gastrointestinal tract, whereas, the other reduces the levels of acidity in the stomach.
- Antacids
- Histamine H-2 blockers
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIS)
Surgery and other procedures
- Surgery
- Fundoplication
- LINX device
To reduce acid reflux at home, you should do the following.
- Make sure you eat your dinner early to avoid indigestion
- Eat smaller meals to aid quick digestion
- If you are obese, you should start working out. You can have an instructor at the gym to put you through exercises that would help you.
- If you experience GERD, you might need to stop wearing tight clothing
- Quit smoking and drinking. This would reduce the acidic level in your system.
- After eating, do not lie down immediately. You can take a short walk to pass the time.
- When acid reflux comes up again, sip water. It helps calm the pain down.
How to contact Holts Healthcare
Holts Healthcare Pain & Wellness is a multi-specialty clinic based in Fayetteville, GA. Our services include Primary Care, Wellness, and Pain Management. Book your appointment with us today!
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