Gastroesophageal reflux disease – symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, diet [EXPLAINED]

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition where stomach contents return to the esophagus. If you have heartburn, a burning sensation behind your breastbone, and symptoms appear when you lie down or eat a heavy meal, it is probably the symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). We check not only what the treatment looks like, but also the diet that is the basis of therapy in the case of gastroesophageal reflux.

There is heartburn, and sometimes even a burning sensation in the mouth. This may be accompanied by pain radiating to the neck. The symptoms of reflux are therefore similar to those of a heart attack.

Sometimes the stomach contents can enter the larynx or even the bronchi, causing their inflammation. Most often it occurs during sleep, when – lying down – additionally (but this time naturally) the tension of the lower esophageal sphincter is reduced.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease – factors influencing contraction and relaxation

The contraction of the stomach is influenced by:

1. Gastryna;
2. Butterfly;
3. PP;
4. The cholinergic system;
5. Adrenergic system;
6. Protein food;
7. Indometacyna;
8. Betanechol.

The relaxation of the stomach is influenced by:

1. Histamine;
2. Secretin;
3. VIP;
4. GIP;
5. Glucagon;
6. Cholecystokinina;
7. Fatty food;
8. Stomach acidification;
9. Serotonin;
10. Nicotine;
11. Progesterone.

Reflux – percentage of patients in the world

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases in the world. In people living in highly developed countries, symptoms of reflux appear every day in about 5-10 percent. people, and once a week in about 20 percent. population. The risk of developing acid reflux increases with age and develops with similar frequency in both men and women.

Factors that may increase your risk of reflux

Among the stimuli that particularly increase the risk of reflux, we mention:

1. Pregnancy;
2. Obesity;
3. Disorders of gastric emptying;
4. Hiatal hernia;
5. Lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction.

To support the functioning of the stomach and to prevent reflux symptoms, it is worth reaching for the RefluxoHerbs Stomach – a herbal mixture that you can buy at a favorable price and in a large package at Medonet Market.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease – causes

Reflux can develop:

1. In the course of diabetes;
2. In case of hardening of the skin;
3. In people with alcoholism (alcoholic polyneuropathy);
4. In hormonal abnormalities.

Taking some preparations also influences the development of the disease. People who use contraceptives (oral); drugs for coronary artery disease; preparations for arterial hypertension and lung diseases (especially from the group of calcium channel blockers, anticholinergics, or methylxanthines, e.g. theophylline) are prone to reflux.

Among the causes, we can also mention when the upper part of the stomach is pushed into the chest through the thinnest part of the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the lungs from the abdomen).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease – the most frequently mentioned symptoms

Reflux is a disease that most often manifests itself:

1. Abdominal pain;
2. Heartburn;
3. Belching (empty, bitter or sour);
4. Regurgitation of food into the esophagus;
5. A burning sensation in the brisket;
6. Hiccups;
7. Drooling;
8. Nausea.

Do you have similar symptoms? Do you need to contact a doctor? Make an online teleconsultation with an internist. You will receive professional help in your ailments there.

If you suffer from ailments related to the gastrointestinal tract, buy a test package for digestive system diseases as soon as possible, thanks to which you will find the cause of the problems and you will be able to quickly take appropriate treatment steps.

There are also symptoms that make you see a doctor as soon as possible, such as: bleeding from the esophagus, significant weight loss, problems with swallowing.

When it comes to reflux symptoms, it is worth mentioning the less common factors that may indicate the disease: dry cough, chest pain or hoarseness.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease – unusual symptoms

However, unusual symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux include:

1. Asthma;
2. Chronic cough;
3. Pharyngitis;
4. Laryngitis;
5. Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses.

Recurrent otitis media, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and reflux dental erosion syndrome are also likely to be associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Do your symptoms require medical consultation? Check it out for yourself in a short medical interview.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and allergy

In studies on gastroesophageal reflux, food allergy is often one of the symptoms that directly influence the course of the disease. It is mainly related to the action of histamine, which acts on the lower esophageal sphincter. After consuming sensitizing products, violent reactions are observed in the gastric mucosa, including stimulation of peristalsis.

1. What is histamine intolerance?

Reflux – diet and prevention

If the first symptoms of reflux appear, it is worth changing your lifestyle. It is recommended, first of all, to modify the daily diet. The most important thing is to eat less food, but more often, and to avoid eating just before bedtime. The last meal should be eaten at least three hours before going to bed. Fatty and spicy foods, coffee, chocolate, citrus and carbonated drinks are contraindicated in a reflux diet. It is also effective to give up stimulants in the form of cigarettes and alcohol. Patients who struggle with overweight or obesity should reduce their body weight immediately.

If heartburn occurs when we lie down – raise the head of the bed or put an additional pillow under your head. It is recommended to sleep in a bed with the headboard raised slightly higher.

Prophylaxis is not limited only to the diet and recommendations related to the sleeping position, but also clothes. Due to the frequent bloating, as well as pain in the esophagus area, you should give up tight clothes that will fit around your figure. In addition, you should avoid straps tightened around the abdomen.

To maintain proper balance in the intestines and support the digestive system, you can supplement Calamus Worm Syrup, which you can buy at Medonet Market at a favorable price.

Gastroesophageal reflux – the main nutritional principles

The main nutritional principles used with pharmacotherapy in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux include:

1. An easily digestible diet with limited substances that increase the secretion of gastric acid;
2. During the day, you should eat 5-6 small meals;
3. It’s a good idea to drink a glass of milk to neutralize stomach acid. A glass of water also works similarly;
4. The meals should not be too hot. A moderate temperature is best. In addition, pasty foods are better absorbed;
5. The last meal should be eaten 3-4 hours before bedtime.

If you feel pain in your lower abdomen, you may have a bowel problem. Check your gut health with a laboratory blood test to detect serious conditions such as ulcerative colitis early.

Gastroesophageal reflux – dietary indications

The reflux diet should primarily include products that soothe the stimulation of digestive juices:

1. Cooked fruits and vegetables;
2. Cooked lean meat;
3. Wheat bread;
4. Broths (weakly concentrated);
5. Cottage cheese;
6. Cream;
7. Eggs;
8. Weak tea;
9. Poor coffee;
10. Cooked fish;
11. Fruit jellies and compotes.

Candida Support Plus is a dietary supplement that often helps to maintain the proper condition of the intestines. The supplement helps to neutralize Candida albicans fungus, whose presence in the digestive system may cause a decrease in immunity and numerous diseases.

If you want to improve digestion, you can also try the dietary supplement Chaga Extract 400 mg, which supports the work of the intestines. You can find it on Medonet Market.

Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux

If you have symptoms of reflux, see your doctor as soon as possible. He may recommend a contrast-enhanced radiograph of the esophagus, an endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus – esophagoscopy or stomach – gastroscopy), 24-hour pH-measurement, or esophageal manometry (a study to assess the tension of the lower esophageal sphincter).

However, it should be taken into account that some symptoms of acid reflux may not necessarily be reflux. Reflux is often confused with coronary heart disease and even a heart attack. It is therefore important to pay attention to the situations in which pain occurs.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease – the most frequently performed tests

The most frequently performed tests ordered by a doctor to determine gastroesophageal reflux include:

1. Gastroscopy – during the examination, the doctor inserts the device into the patient’s throat, and then into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. It takes samples from the mucosa to then perform a histopathological examination on it. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and lasts up to 30 minutes, does not require hospitalization;
2. Radiological examination with contrast – compared to gastroscopy, it is of marginal importance, however, if the esophagus is of an unusual structure or there are external pressures, the examination may be necessary for a better diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
3. Manometric examination of the esophagus – used in unusual cases. The doctor analyzes the pressure in the esophagus, which is disrupting the work of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. This method also allows you to check the Ph of the esophagus XNUMX hours a day (the doctor places a thin tube in the esophagus and checks the acidity of the contents).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease – treatment

The doctor treating reflux will advise you to take medications that reduce gastric acid secretion, neutralize gastric acid, or increase the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter. If complications develop, surgery may be necessary.

You can find facilities where specialists will guide you through the entire process of diagnosis and treatment at clinics.pl

Ways to treat reflux include:

1. pharmacological treatment: the treatment uses preparations that strongly reduce the production of gastric acid (e.g. esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole). They must be taken on an empty stomach at the recommended doses for 2-4 weeks. Also prokinetic drugs are effective in fighting reflux, but they are recommended less often because they cause side effects, including drowsiness and irritability;
2. surgical management: when drugs are insufficient and ineffective, the decision to implement surgery is often made. However, about half of the patients still need medication after surgery.

Compare the prices of drugs and other products that can help fight reflux on skąpiec.pl:

1. medicine containing omeprazole (check the offer)
2. lozenges for acidity and reflux (check the offer)
3. a mixture of herbs for acid reflux, heartburn and acidity (check the offer)

Also try the Tea for gastritis, which includes: rose fruit, hawthorn, elderberry, blackthorn; wuccinia, mallow, hush herb; flower of calendula, mallow; plantain leaf.

Taking all medications, supplements and herbs always requires an initial consultation with a doctor.

1. Check out teas recommended for heartburn

Some of the medications taken by patients may aggravate the symptoms of acid reflux disease, so you should first of all pay attention to the dosage:

1. Calcium channel antagonists;
2. Methylxanthines;
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
4. Potassium ion.

Most often these are preparations that are not absorbed into the bloodstream. In the event of their ineffectiveness, it is recommended to take ranitidine very carefully.

It is worth remembering about maintenance treatment, with the use of the lowest (but effective) dose of proton pump inhibitors that suppress unpleasant symptoms.

The prognosis is very good for mild reflux, unfortunately not if the reflux is severe. It may lead to complications in the form of esophageal stricture. One of the complications of GERD is also the occurrence of the so-called Baretto’s esophagus. It is a condition involving the appearance of intestinal metaplasia in the mucosa of the lower esophagus. It increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease – management after the disease

After your gastro-oesophageal reflux disease has resolved, you should still continue with healthy habits, a proper diet, and avoid taking medications that lower esophageal pressure. Follow-up endoscopy is recommended for patients who have been struggling with severe and advanced reflux disease.

Patients diagnosed with Baretto’s esophagus must remain under close medical care as they are at risk of developing adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. In these patients, a section of the esophagus is taken for histopathological examination (every 3 years), and in the case of advanced lesions, every year or even every 3 months.

How else can we counteract acid reflux? You can learn more in Dr. Jonathan Aviv’s book «Hidden causes of reflux and heartburn. 28-day healing program ». (check the offer)

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