Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when stomach acid goes back up into the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach (esophagus). This backward flow, also known as acid reflux, can irritate your esophagus lining.
Many people have acid reflux now and then. But if it keeps happening often, it can lead to GERD.
Most people can handle the discomfort of GERD by changing their lifestyle and taking medicine. Surgery to help with symptoms is rare, but some people might need it.
What Is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD, is a digestive issue that affects the muscle ring between your esophagus and stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If you have GERD, you might experience heartburn or acid indigestion.
Doctors believe that some individuals may develop GERD due to a condition called hiatal hernia. For many, GERD symptoms can be relieved through changes in diet and lifestyle. However, others may require medication or surgery for treatment.
Gastroesophageal Disease Symptoms
The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, also known as acid indigestion. It typically feels like a burning pain in your chest that starts behind your breastbone and moves up toward your neck and throat. Many describe it as feeling like food is coming back up into the mouth, leaving a sour or bitter taste.
Source: While heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux, not all heartburn cases are caused by GERD.
The discomfort of heartburn can last up to 2 hours and is often more intense after eating. It can also worsen when lying down or bending over. Many find relief by standing upright or taking an antacid to neutralize the acid in the esophagus.
Sometimes, people confuse heartburn with the chest pain of heart disease or a heart attack. However, there are differences. Heart disease pain tends to worsen with exercise and improve with rest, while heartburn pain is less affected by physical activity. If you experience chest pain, it's essential to seek medical help immediately to rule out any serious issues.
In addition to heartburn, you may also experience:
- Nausea: Feeling sick to your stomach, often accompanied by the urge to vomit.
- Bad breath: Foul or unpleasant odor coming from the mouth, often caused by stomach acid reflux.
- Difficulty breathing: Feeling as though it's hard to catch your breath or experiencing shortness of breath.
- Difficulty swallowing: Finding it challenging or uncomfortable to swallow food or liquids.
- Vomiting: Forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.
- Tooth enamel erosion: Gradual wearing away of the protective enamel on your teeth, often due to exposure to stomach acid.
- Feeling of a lump in your throat: Sensation of something stuck or lodged in the throat, despite nothing physically present.
If you have acid reflux at night, you might also have:
- A persistent cough: Continual coughing, especially during the nighttime hours.
- Hoarseness: Changes in your voice, making it sound raspy or strained.
- Sudden onset or worsening of asthma: Unexpected or increased difficulty breathing due to asthma, particularly during the night.
- Sleep disturbances: Problems with sleeping, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often due to discomfort or symptoms of GERD.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment and Home Remedies
Treatment for GERD focuses on reducing reflux and protecting the esophageal lining from damage caused by stomach acid.
1. Medications
- Antacids: These can neutralize stomach acid and alleviate heartburn. They provide temporary relief, but long-term use can lead to side effects like diarrhea and metabolic changes. Consult your doctor if you need them for more than 2 weeks.
- H2 Blockers: Drugs like cimetidine, famotidine, and nizatidine reduce stomach acid production, aiding in chronic reflux and heartburn management.
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): These medications block acid production by targeting a specific stomach protein. Examples include dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole.
2. Prokinetics
In rare cases, these drugs help speed up stomach emptying, reducing acid buildup. They may also alleviate symptoms like bloating, nausea, and vomiting. However, they can have serious side effects and are typically used for a limited time. Examples include domperidone and metoclopramide.
It's important to consult with your doctor before starting any medication regimen for GERD to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your specific condition.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes
Here are diet and lifestyle changes for managing GERD symptoms:
1. Avoid Trigger Foods and Beverages
Stay away from foods that can relax the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) such as chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Also, avoid items that can irritate the esophageal lining like citrus fruits, tomato products, and spicy foods.
2. Eat Smaller Portions
Consuming smaller meal portions can help control symptoms. Additionally, eating meals at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime allows stomach acid to decrease and your stomach to partially empty.
3. Using Natural Ingredients
Natural ingredients like turmeric, aloe vera, and licorice root have been tested for their potential to alleviate gastroesophageal disease symptoms. Turmeric's curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, while aloe vera soothes and promotes healing. Licorice root may reduce inflammation and stimulate mucus production. All are found in Cumargold.
However, consult a healthcare professional before use.
Source: Turmeric and Aloe Vera, have many merits on their own for supporting both the digestive system.
4. Eat Slowly and Chew Thoroughly
Take your time with meals and chew your food thoroughly. Setting your fork down between bites can help you remember to chew completely before taking the next bite.
5. Quit Smoking
Smoking weakens the LES, so quitting smoking is crucial for reducing GERD symptoms.
6. Elevate Your Head While Sleeping
Raise the head of your bed using 6-inch blocks or sleep on a specially designed wedge to allow gravity to help prevent stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus. Avoid using pillows to prop yourself up as this can increase pressure on the stomach.
7. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight can exacerbate symptoms, so losing weight can often provide relief for many individuals with GERD.
8. Wear Loose-Fitting Clothing
Tight clothing around the waist can put pressure on the abdomen and lower esophagus, worsening symptoms.
9. Consider Acupuncture
Some studies suggest that acupuncture may effectively reduce reflux symptoms, potentially even better than medications like PPIs. However, more extensive research is needed to confirm these findings.
Diagnosing Severe Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease GERD
If you have severe or persistent esophageal reflux symptoms that don't improve with treatment, your doctor may recommend tests to diagnose your condition more accurately.
Here are some common procedures they might use:
1. Endoscopy
Your doctor will insert a small, lighted tube with a tiny camera (endoscope) into your esophagus to check for inflammation or irritation of the tissue (esophagitis). If they notice any abnormalities, they may take a small tissue sample for further testing (biopsy).
2. Upper GI Series
This is often one of the initial tests your doctor may perform. It involves a special X-ray that examines your esophagus, stomach, and the upper part of your small intestine (duodenum). While it provides limited information about reflux, it can help rule out other conditions like peptic ulcers.
3. Esophageal Manometry and Impedance Study
This test evaluates the pressure in your esophagus and can detect abnormalities in how your esophageal muscles contract.
4. pH Testing
If diagnosis is challenging, your doctor may conduct pH testing to measure acid levels in your esophagus. This test monitors acid presence during meals, activities, and sleep. Recent advancements in long-term pH tracking have improved its effectiveness in diagnosis.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you have chest pain, especially if it comes with shortness of breath, or pain in your jaw or arm, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention. These symptoms could indicate a heart attack.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you:
- Have severe or frequent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) symptoms
- Use over-the-counter heartburn medications more than twice a week
