Gerd: causes, symptoms, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder characterized by repeated long-term reflux of stomach acid. Acid reflux is a condition when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus.

Increased stomach acid can erode and cause irritation to the inside of the esophagus. As a result, there arises a sensation of heartburn that feels hot as well as burning in the throat (heartburn), as well as a sour taste in the mouth.

Everyone can produce stomach acid in varying amounts. However, the production rate tends to increase after a meal because acid is necessary for the digestive process. The stomach acid will then decrease again immediately.

Even so, an increase in stomach acid can also be a sign of indigestion if it occurs frequently or repeatedly. This is what is meant by gastroesophageal reflux disease, aka GERD.

Reflux acid reflux can be classified as mild GERD if it occurs about 2-3 times a week. The condition is considered severe if stomach acid rises to at least once a week.

How common is this condition?

GERD is a type of digestive problem that is quite common and can be experienced by anyone, both men and women. However, the risk of developing GERD tends to be higher in people who:

• are overweight or obese,
• have connective tissue disorders (scleroderma),
• is pregnant,
• active smoking, as well
• drink alcohol frequently.

You can lower your risk of developing acid reflux disease by avoiding and controlling the risk factors you have. Consult your doctor to find out more information.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of GERD?

The main sign of GERD is when stomach acid, which should remain at the bottom of the stomach and actually rises back up. This occurs due to the opening of the dividing muscles between the stomach and esophagus.

Acid leak causes a burning sensation in the gut and chest (heartburn) which can spread to the stomach and back. This usually gets worse when you are finished eating, are lying down, or bending over.

Broadly speaking, symptoms gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are as follows.

• Feeling like food is stuck in the esophagus, difficulty swallowing, and hiccups.
• Experiencing a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn), which can spread to the neck.
• Pain or pain in the gut.
• There is a sour or bitter taste in the mouth.
• There is fluid or food that rises from the stomach to the mouth.
• Respiratory problems, such as chronic cough and asthma.
• Hoarseness.
• Sore throat.

There may still be other signs and symptoms of GERD that are not mentioned above. If you are worried about a certain symptom, consult your doctor immediately.

When to see a doctor?

Immediately consult a doctor if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain. Especially if the symptoms of this disease often appear or even get worse every day.

Everyone's body condition is very different. This is what makes the symptoms experienced by each person different. Always consult your doctor's symptoms to get the best treatment regarding your health condition.

Causes and risk factors

What causes GERD?

As mentioned earlier, acid reflux from the stomach is actually common. This condition is most often triggered by the habit of eating large portions, lying down immediately after eating, or consuming certain types of food.

The difference is, the increase in stomach acid which is classified as GERD has its own causes. The main cause of GERD is a weakening of the cardial sphincter, the ring-shaped muscles that line the stomach and esophagus.

The cardia sphincter should always be kept closed to prevent acid reflux and digested food back into the esophagus. This valve will only open when the food in the mouth enters the stomach.

In people with GERD, the opposite is true. The muscles of the cardia sphincter become weak so that the sphincter can open even though no food moves from the esophagus. As a result, stomach acid can rise at any time.

If this condition persists, stomach acid can cause inflammation and irritation of the wall of the esophagus (esophagitis). This is because stomach acid is a strong acid that is eroding.

What increases a person's risk of developing acid reflux?

GERD can affect anyone and is usually more common in adults. However, there are several factors that make a person susceptible to this disease.

Various risk factors that increase your risk for GERD are as follows.

• Are overweight or obese.
• Has a bulge in the upper abdomen that can rise to the diaphragm (hiatal hernia).
• Experiencing connective tissue problems, for example scleroderma.
• Emptying the stomach for a long time.

In addition, below are some other factors that can worsen GERD symptoms.

• Smoking habit.
• Eat large amounts of food at one time.
• Time to eat that is too close to bedtime.
• Eating too much food that triggers stomach acid, such as spicy, sour, fatty, and fried foods.
• Drink coffee or tea.
• Drink alcohol.
• Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

Diagnosis

What are the tests that are usually done to diagnose this disease?

Mild symptoms of GERD can generally be treated with over-the-counter medications. However, if symptoms get worse and recur, your doctor will likely recommend a number of tests to diagnose the cause.

Various tests to detect GERD are as follows.

1. Endoscopy

Endoscopy is performed by inserting a flexible tube equipped with a small camera into the esophagus.

During an endoscopy, the doctor can also perform other procedures, such as taking a tissue sample (biopsy) to detect it Barrett's esophagus.

2. Esophageal manometry

This procedure is performed by inserting a flexible tube into the esophagus.

The test results will show how well the esophagus is functioning, including whether the muscles are able to move food smoothly into the stomach.

3. Esophageal pH measurement

This examination is done by inserting a monitor into the esophagus to find out when stomach acid rises back up through the esophagus.

The pH (acidity) value will tell you how acidic your esophagus is.

4. Imaging tests

Imaging tests with X-ray or an X-ray of the digestive system is done to see an overall picture of the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine.

This test also often involves using barium fluid to clarify the structure of the digestive tract.

Medicine and medication

What are my treatment options to treat this disease?

The first step that is usually taken to treat GERD is drug consumption.

If the use of drugs does not work, the doctor will usually suggest certain procedures to deal with problems directly in the stomach.

1. Take medicines without a prescription

Most GERD medications work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes. In addition, several types of other over-the-counter (OTC) drug options for treating GERD are as follows:

Antacids

This drug is useful for neutralizing acid in the stomach with the help of alkaline chemicals. The alkaline nature of the antacid drugs will increase the pH of the stomach and prevent further damage to the stomach from exposure to acids.

However, taking antacids alone is not enough to heal an inflamed esophagus due to stomach acid. You also shouldn't consume it too often because it can cause side effects in the form of diarrhea, constipation, and kidney problems.

Medicines to reduce the amount of acid

Medicines that fall into this category are H-2 receptor blockers. This drug can reduce the amount of stomach acid by inhibiting the action of stomach acid-producing cells.

Examples of drugs that belong to the H-2 group receptor blockers is:

• cimetidine,
• famotidine,
• nizatidine, and
• ranitidine.

Please note that the work of H-2 receptor blockers not as fast as antacid drugs.

Even so, H-2 receptor blockers is a GERD drug that is quite effective because it helps reduce stomach acid production for a long time, namely up to 12 hours.

Medicines to inhibit stomach acid production

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are included in a class of drugs that function as inhibitors of acid production.

Not only that, PPIs also help restore an irritated esophagus due to continuous acid exposure ..

PPI drugs to treat GERD are drugs that inhibit acid production that are stronger than H-2 receptor blockers. Examples of over-the-counter PPI drugs include lansoprazole and omeprazole.

2. Take prescription drugs

Over-the-counter medicines sometimes only relieve symptoms, but do not prevent GERD from recurring.

In these cases, you may need a prescription drug that has a stronger effect. Here are a few examples.

Drug H-2 receptor blockers by prescription

These types of drugs include famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine, which can only be obtained by prescription. These drugs are generally allowed to be used for a certain period of time under the supervision of a doctor.

Although effective, the H-2 drug receptor blockers prescription should not be a mainstay of long-term treatment. The reason is, the long-term use of the drug has the risk of causing vitamin B12 deficiency and bone fractures.

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) by prescription

These types of drugs include esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, and dexlansoprazole. Like H-2 receptor blockersPrescription PPI drugs are well accepted by the body.

However, there is still a risk of side effects in the form of diarrhea, headaches, nausea, vitamin B12 deficiency, and possible hip fracture. Therefore, you must take the medicine as directed by your doctor.

Medicines to strengthen the valve (sphincter) of the esophagus

Baclofen is a drug that can help relieve GERD symptoms by reducing the frequency at which the lower esophageal valve opens. This drug can cause side effects in the form of fatigue and nausea.

It is important to remember that prescription and over-the-counter drugs for GERD can cause one or more side effects. Consult your doctor if you have questions or concerns about the use of drugs.

3. Operation action

Surgery is another way that can be taken if the symptoms of GERD do not improve even though you are already taking medication. The types of surgery that are usually performed to treat GERD are as follows.

Fundoplication

Fundoplication is performed by tying the upper part of the stomach or the lower part of the cardial sphincter. The goal is to tighten the muscles in the esophageal valve so that it can again prevent stomach acid from rising.

This action uses a device called a laparoscope. This tool is equipped with a small camera on the end that helps doctors see the condition of your digestive organs from the inside

While undergoing surgery, the patient will be sedated to reduce pain.

Recovery after surgery is generally quite fast, which is about 1-3 days until the patient is allowed to go home. However, new patients may have normal activities after 2 - 3 weeks postoperatively or if the doctor has given permission.

Endoscopy

Apart from functioning as a supporting examination, endoscopy also helps doctors treat GERD. The doctor will insert a special instrument with the endoscope.

This tool creates small burns that will help strengthen the sphincter muscles.

LINX

This procedure involves placing a ring wrapped around the border of the stomach and esophagus organs.

Next, there will be a magnetic pull strong enough on the ring to strengthen the work of the esophageal valve to keep it closed.

Home remedies

What are the home remedies that can help treat GERD?

Apart from taking drugs, doctors usually recommend patients to make lifestyle changes.

Below are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with GERD.

• Choosing the right and healthy food. For example, eating more fruits and vegetables, and reducing foods that can trigger GERD.
• Reducing eating fried foods, fatty foods, and spicy foods.
• Do not lie down immediately after eating. We recommend that you give a break of at least 2-3 hours after eating and before you go to sleep.
• Taking drugs recommended by a doctor, both over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and prescription drugs.
• Elevating the head position during sleep using stacked pillows. The position of the head that is higher than the body can help relieve heartburn due to increased stomach acid.
• Avoid smoking.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea.
• Avoid taking certain types of drugs that can worsen symptoms, such as pain relievers such as aspirin.
• Lose weight when excess and maintain it when it is ideal.
• Eat the portion that suits your needs.

Quoted from the American College of Gastroenterology, several previous studies have proven that consistent lifestyle changes can prevent stomach acid from rising into the esophagus.

Prevention

What can be done to prevent this disease?

Below are tips you can do to prevent GERD.

• Always eat in moderation. If you want to eat more, it's best to eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Maintain body weight within normal ranges.
• Do not wear clothes that are too tight, especially on the stomach because of the risk of pressing on the valve of the lower esophagus.
• Not getting used to sleeping immediately after eating.
• Don't eat too close to bedtime.
• Avoid certain types of food and drink that can trigger GERD symptoms.

GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a digestive disorder characterized by an increase in stomach acid into the esophagus.

This disease can be treated with medication, but some cases of GERD may be severe enough to require further treatment.

If you still experience symptoms of GERD even though you have tried self-medication, you should immediately consult a doctor.