What is GERD all about?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid does frequently flow back into the tube connecting one’s mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can indeed irritate the lining of one’s esophagus.

People do experience acid reflux from time to time. GERD is a rather mild acid reflux that does occur at least twice a week, or moderately to severe acid reflux that does occur at least once a week.

Most people can indeed manage the discomfort of GERD with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. But some people with GERD may also need stronger medications or surgery to ease symptoms.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

• A burning sensation in one’s chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might get worse at night
• Chest pain
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
• Difficulty swallowing
• The sensation of a lump in one’s throat

If you have nighttime acid reflux, one might also experience:

• A chronic cough
• New or worsening asthma
• Laryngitis
• Disrupted sleep

One must seek immediate medical attention in case one has to save chest pain, especially if one also has shortness of breath, or jaw or arm pain. These can indicate the oncoming of a heart attack.

One must consult a doctor if one:

• Experiences of severe or frequent GERD symptoms
• Has to take over-the-counter medications for heartburn more than twice a week

Causes

GERD occurs on account of frequent acid reflux.

When one swallows, a circular band of muscle forms around the bottom of one’s esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) and one has to relax in order to allow food and liquid to flow into one’s stomach. Then the sphincter does close again.

If the sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can indeed flow back up into one’s esophagus. This constant backwash of acid does irritate the lining of one’s esophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.

Risk factors

Conditions that can increase one’s risk of GERD are:

• Obesity
• Bulging of the top of the stomach up into the diaphragm (a hiatal hernia)
• Pregnancy
• Delayed stomach emptying
• Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma

Factors that can aggravate acid reflux do include:

• Smoking
• Eating large meals or eating late at night
• Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee
• Eating certain foods (triggers) such as fatty or fried foods
• Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee
• Taking certain medications, such as aspirin

Other factors:

Dietary and lifestyle choices can also contribute to GERD. Certain foods and beverages which include chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods, coffee, or alcoholic beverages, may trigger reflux as well as heartburn. Studies show that cigarette smoking does relax the LES. Obesity and pregnancy can also play a role in GERD symptoms.

Heartburn is also referred to as acid indigestion and one experiences a burning chest pain beginning behind the breastbone and then moving upward to the neck as well as throat. Many people feel as though the food is coming back into the mouth leaving an acid or bitter taste.

The burning, pressure, or pain of heartburn can last as long as 2 hours and it gets worse after eating. Many people do obtain relief by standing upright or by taking an antacid that does clear acid out of the esophagus.

Heartburn pain is sometimes mistaken for the pain that accompanies a heart disease or a heart attack, but there are several differences. Exercise may aggravate pain resulting from heart disease, and rest may relieve the pain. Heartburn pain has less to do with physical activity. But it is difficult to tell the difference, so one must seek immediate medical help in case one has chest pain.

Homeopathic treatment for Gerd

Doctors recommend lifestyle as well as dietary changes for most people who are in need of treatment for GERD. Treatment aims at decreasing the amount of reflux or perhaps reducing the damage to the lining of the esophagus from refluxed materials.

Avoiding foods and beverages that can also weaken the LES is often recommended. These foods do include chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, coffee as well as alcoholic beverages. Foods and beverages that can irritate a damaged esophageal lining, such as citrus fruits as well as juices, tomato products, and pepper need to be avoided if they cause symptoms.