![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease, (GERD)is a range of symptoms that occur when gastric acid refluxes into the esophagus causing damage to it. One of the major factors which results in GERD is the inability of the stomach to empty itself in a normal fashion. Gastroesophageal reflux is a normal phenomenon. It typically occurs after eating. However, GERD is where extended periods of acid reflux result in contact between acid and the esophageal wall, leading to inflammation and scarring of the esophagus. However, causes of GERD and heartburn can also include: dehydration, microbes in the esophagus and stomach, food sensitivities, inappropriate gastric/esophageal motility and emptying, inadequate enzymes, acid and mucus production, antioxidant imbalance, and poor nutrition to name a few. The most common symptom of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - GERD - is heartburn, an uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone, usually occurring after a meal. Heartburn can interrupt your sleep, limit your activities, keep you from the foods you love; in short, it can change the way you live your life. Heartburn is so common that it is often not associated with a chronic disease and is self-treated. Other symptoms include; belching a sour-tasting liquid, hoarseness, chronic cough, asthma, laryngitis, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, nausea, vomiting, a need to constantly clear the throat, recurrent pneumonia and ENT infections, nocturnal choking, sleep apnea, loss of dental enamel and bad breath. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and heartburn are commonly treated by conventional medical doctors with prescriptions for one of the many antacids like Nexium or Prilosec. Such treatment may help manage the acute symptom of pain but does not address or lead to the correction of the underlying problems. Reducing short-term symptoms while ignoring the cause, may lead to long-term digestive difficulties by disrupting the natural digestive processes or worse. GERD may lead to damage of the esophagus, causing breaks in the lining of the esophagus. Sometimes ulcers can develop, resulting in scarring and narrowing of the esophagus, making swallowing painful or difficult. GERD is also thought to result in damage to the vocal cords or teeth and may even cause asthma. It is advisable to screen for hiatal hernia as it often presents with GERD-like symptoms.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||