Darrick Robles Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), or more simply reflux, is a symptom in which stomach contents flow back up into the esophagus. The acid in the stomach irritates the lining of the esophagus and causes a burning sensation in the throat. Reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD) occurs when reflux persists for several weeks and is accompanied by additional symptoms. About 20% of the Western population suffers from reflux disease. The condition can often be easily treated with lifestyle changes. In rare cases, however, reflux disease can take a serious course and lead to complications.
Symptoms of reflux disease
- Heartburn: a burning, uncomfortable feeling in the chest or abdomen
- bad breath
- dental trouble
- nausea
- Vomit
- cough
- Sore throat
- difficulties swallowing
- stomach pain
Causes of reflux disease
The ingested food passes from the oral cavity through the esophagus to the stomach. At the end of the esophagus is a muscle that has a closing function. This prevents food from flowing backwards from the stomach into the esophagus. If this sphincter malfunctions, the contents of the stomach, and thus also the stomach acid, ends up in the esophagus and causes inflammation of the mucous membrane there, which then turns into a reflux disease.
Factors that promote reflux disease can be:
- Smoking (also passive smoking)
- alcohol consumption
- pregnancy
- overweight
- high-fat diet
- Certain medications
- Diaphragmatic Hernia: A condition in which the stomach moves up through the diaphragm, interfering with the closing mechanism of the esophagus
Diagnosis of reflux disease
For the diagnosis, a detailed medical history is taken with regard to the typical symptoms (heartburn) and accompanying symptoms (e.g. difficulty swallowing, sore throat, nausea, bad breath). Further diagnostic measures such as a gastroscopy and a pH measurement may also be necessary.
(The acidity in the esophagus can be determined using a measuring probe by means of pH-metry).
When to seek help for reflux disease
You should make an appointment with a doctor if you:
- often experience heartburn.
- complaints such as B. have vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain or loss of appetite.
- regularly take stomach acid blockers (proton pump inhibitors).
You can do this yourself if you have reflux disease
The following lifestyle changes can help improve your situation:
- Tilt the head of the bed up to reduce the incidence of reflux.
- Reduce weight if overweight.
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid fried and fatty foods, spirits, acidic and carbonated drinks (e.g. grapefruit juice, cola).
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing.
- Do not eat 3 hours before bedtime (late meals increase acid production in the stomach and can make symptoms worse).
- Painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen increase acid production in the stomach and should also be avoided.
Treatment options for reflux disease
Lifestyle changes are often enough to get the disease under control. In some cases, regular use of proton pump inhibitors is recommended. In case of intolerance or insufficient effect, other drugs can be used. If the symptoms persist despite drug treatment, surgery can be considered in individual cases.
The aim of the operation is to strengthen the closing function of the esophagus. This is done through a surgical procedure that involves reshaping the lower portion of the esophagus with the upper portion of the stomach in a way that minimizes reflux from the stomach into the esophagus.
This is how Med-Healths can help you with reflux disease
Are your symptoms caused by reflux disease, or are you dealing with another disease? Which form of therapy makes sense in your case? How can you counteract the progression of the disease? What are the advantages and disadvantages of drug and surgical treatment? Should you have an endoscopic clarification (gastroscopy)? What are the complications of reflux disease? You can discuss these and other questions with a doctor via the Med-Healths video consultation.
If necessary, the doctor can provide you with a prescription and/or referral to a gastroenterologist.
