Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)    

 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)    

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)    


 


 

 

 

Terms You Should Know

  • Chronic condition : Frequent or regular even occurring over a long period of time. 

  • Diaphragm : Dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.

  • Fundopliction : Surgical procedure that reduces reflux.

  • GERD : Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Movement of stomach juices from the stomach into the oesophagus. 

  • Heartburn :Burning feeling behind the sternum

  • Hiatal hernia : Pushing up of the stomach into the chest cavity through a weakness in the diaphragm. 

  • Laryngitis :Inflammation of the vocal cords.

  • Lower Oesophageal Sphincter (LES): Muscle that opens to let food pass into the stomach and closes to stop stomach juices from backing up into the oesophagus.

  • Oesophagus : A tube-like structure that connects the mouth to the stomach

  • Oesophagitis : An inflammation of the oesophagus. 
    Ø Reflux :Backing up of the stomach contents from the stomach into the oesophagus.

Oesophagus is a tubular structure that connects the mouth to the stomach. When the stomach contents, including acid, enter into the oesophagus it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn and reflux are common. Twenty-five per cent of pregnant women experience heartburn or heartburn-related symptoms.

Symptoms 

The most common symptom is a burning sensation in the upper part of the abdomen or the lower part of the chest. This is commonly known as 'heartburn'. This may also include the sensation of food or liquid coming up into the throat or mouth (regurgitation), especially when bending over or lying down. These symptoms may be accompanied by a bitter or acid taste. However, GERD can also cause hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing and even asthma. As coronary artery disease or ischaemic heart disease can also result in a burning feeling in the chest, in some people the diagnosis of GERD may be confused with cardiac (heart ) pain.

Causes 

Between the end of the oesophagus and the stomach is a ring of muscle known as the lower oesophageal sphincter. This sphincter acts as a valve and prevents the backflow of stomach contents into the oesophagus. In patients with GERD there are brief oesophagus. In patients with GERD there are brief relaxations of this sphincter, which allow the acid and digestive juices of the stomach to move up and enter in to the oesophagus. 


Some medicines and foods (e.g. chocolate, peppermint, alcohol) are known to produce relaxations of this sphincter. Tobacco also relaxes the lower oesohageal sphincter can produce or worsen the symptoms of GERD. 
Increased pressure inside the abdomen pushes the stomach contents into the oesophagus. Pregnancy, obesity and overeating can increase abdominal pressure and produce GERD.


Hiatal hernia : There is a hole in the diaphragm through which the oesophagus enters the abdominal cavity. Normally the entire stomach is below the diaphragm, but sometimes a part of the stomach enters the hole in the diaphragm. This is known as hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernias are found in approximately 50 per cent of people over the age of 50. Although majority of these people do not have GERD, majority of people with GERD have hiatal hernias. 

Complications of Long-terms Reflux and Heartburn
Lifestyle Modifications 
Rest and sleep