GERD
Gastro esophageal reflux disease is a disorder that results from
stomach acid moving backward from the stomach into the esophagus. GERD usually
happens because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
— the muscular valve where the esophagus joins the stomach — opens at the
wrong time or does not close properly.
Causes
for Reflux Disease -GERD
No one knows the exact cause
of gastroesophageal reflux. The following are several contributing factors that
weaken or relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making reflux worse:
- Lifestyle - Use of alcohol or cigarettes, obesity, poor
posture (slouching)
- Medications - Calcium channel blockers, theophylline ,
nitrates, antihistamines and pain killers
- Diet - Fatty and fried foods, chocolate, garlic and
onions, drinks with caffeine, acid foods such as citrus fruits and
tomatoes, spicy foods, mint flavourings
- Eating habits - Eating large meals, eating just before
bedtime
- Other medical conditions - Hiatus hernia, pregnancy,
diabetes, rapid weight gain
Hiatus hernia is a condition
when the upper part of the stomach protrudes up above the diaphragm (the strong
muscle that separates the organs of the chest from those of the abdomen).
- Normally, the diaphragm acts as an additional barrier,
helping the lower esophageal sphincter keep acid from backing up into the
esophagus.
- A hiatus hernia makes it easier for the acid to back
up.
- Hiatus hernia can be caused by persistent coughing,
vomiting, straining, or sudden physical exertion. Obesity and pregnancy
can make the condition worse.
- Hiatus hernia is very common in people older than 50
years.
- Hiatus hernia usually requires no treatment. In rare
cases when the hernia becomes twisted or is making GERD worse, surgery may
be required.
Symptoms
Often, people who have GERD
notice that they regularly have the pain of heartburn in the chest or stomach —
and their heartburn can last up to a couple of hours. Lots of people who have
GERD notice their heartburn is worse after eating.
Regurgitation is also a sign
that a person may have GERD, although, like heartburn, occasional regurgitation
is common for everyone. (Regurgitation is when food and liquid containing
stomach acid comes back up into the throat or mouth.)
Other symptoms of GERD
include:
- A sore, raw throat or hoarse voice
- A frequent sour taste of acid, especially when lying
down
- A feeling of burping acid into the mouth
- Trouble swallowing
- A feeling that food is stuck in the throat
- a feeling of choking that may wake someone up
- A dry cough
- Bad breath
Self-Care
at Home
Many people can relieve
their symptoms by changing their habits and lifestyle. The following steps, if
followed, may reduce your reflux significantly.
- Don't eat within 3 hours of bedtime. This allows your
stomach to empty and acid production to decrease. If you don't eat, your
body isn't making acid to digest the food.
- Similarly, don't lie down right after eating at any
time of day.
- Elevate the head of your bed 6 inches with blocks.
Gravity helps prevent reflux.
- Don't eat large meals. Eating a lot of food at one time
increases the amount of acid needed to digest it. Eat smaller, more
frequent meals throughout the day.
- Avoid fatty or greasy foods, chocolate, caffeine, mints
or mint-flavoured foods, spicy foods, citrus, and tomato-based foods.
These foods decrease the competence of the LES.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol increases the
likelihood that acid from your stomach will back up.
- Stop smoking. Smoking weakens the lower esophageal
sphincter and increases reflux.
- Lose excess weight. Overweight and obese people are
much more likely to have bothersome reflux than people of healthy weight.
- Stand upright or sit up straight, maintain good
posture. This helps food and acid pass through the stomach instead of
backing up into the esophagus.
- Talk to your health care provider about taking
over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or medicines
for osteoporosis. These can aggravate reflux in some people.
Some of these changes may be
difficult for people to make. Talk to your health care provider if you need
some tips on losing weight or quitting smoking. Knowing that your heartburn
will get better may keep you motivated.
Please note over the counter
anti acidity tablets have side effects of producing constipation and loss of
appetite and abdominal bloating problems. Dont take self medication for GERD
Homeopathy Treatment for
GERD
Symptomatic Homeopathy
medicines help to control acid secretions and act best in GERD. Homeopathy
medicines works well for gastro esophageal reflexive disease along with diet
regulations and life style modifications.
Whom to contact for
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease - GERD
Treatment
Dr.Senthil Kumar Treats many cases of Gastro
Esophageal Reflux Disease - GERD, In his
medical professional experience with successful results. Many patients get
relief after taking treatment from Dr.Senthil Kumar. Dr.Senthil Kumar
visits Chennai at Vivekanantha Homeopathy Clinic, Velachery, Chennai 42. To get
appointment please call 9786901830, +91 94430 54168 or mail to consult.ur.dr@gmail.com,
For more details & Consultation Feel
free to contact us.
Vivekanantha
Clinic Consultation Champers at
Chennai:- 9786901830
Pondicherry:- 9865212055
Panruti:- 9443054168
For appointment please
Call us or Mail Us
For
appointment: SMS your Name -Age – Mobile Number - Problem in Single word -
date and day - Place of appointment (Eg: Rajini – 30 - 99xxxxxxx0 – Gastro
Esophageal Reflux Disease - GERD, கர்டு, கேஸ்ட்ரோ ஈசோபேகல் ரிப்லக்சிவ் டிசீஸ், gastritis, stomach pain, வயிற்றில் புண், வயிறு புண், 21st Oct,
Sunday - Chennai ), You will receive Appointment details through SMS
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