Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Acid Reflux Disease. Let’s dive in!
Understanding GERD: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is becoming increasingly common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of people in the United States experience GERD symptoms every year. It’s estimated that around 20% of Americans have GERD, with the condition continuing to rise due to lifestyle and dietary habits.
What Is GERD?
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GERD occurs when the muscle between the stomach and esophagus (called the lower esophageal sphincter) becomes weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.
Symptoms and Causes of Acid Reflux in GERD
The most common symptoms of GERD are heartburn and acid regurgitation, often occurring 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating. These symptoms tend to worsen when lying down, bending over, or overeating. Other symptoms include chest pain, chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or a lump-like feeling in the throat.
One of the main reasons for the rise in GERD cases is the increasing rate of obesity. Abdominal pressure increases with obesity, which makes acid reflux more likely.
Dietary habits also play a significant role. High-fat foods, alcohol, smoking, coffee, red wine, citrus juice, chocolate, and peppermint can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to GERD.
Late-night meals or overeating worsen symptoms since lying down after eating promotes acid reflux. With the growing culture of late-night delivery food, many people engage in these habits, increasing GERD prevalence.
Diagnosis and Treatment Using Acid-Suppressing Medications
GERD is diagnosed when symptoms improve with the use of acid-suppressing medications, especially proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medications are often used for both treatment and diagnostic purposes.
This is because even when performing an endoscopy, over half of GERD patients show no visible esophageal damage.
For patients with severe or chronic symptoms, additional testing may be needed, such as:
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Esophagography
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Esophageal manometry – measures esophageal muscle contractions using a catheter
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EndoFLIP – assesses lower esophageal pressure
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24-hour pH monitoring – a thin tube through the nose measures acidity changes in the esophagus and stomach
Treatment mainly involves taking PPIs to reduce stomach acid production. These drugs are highly effective but require proper management, as symptoms often recur when medication is reduced or stopped. That’s why lifestyle changes should accompany medical treatment.
Although PPIs are generally safe, long-term use may carry risks such as osteoporosis, fractures, gastrointestinal infections, dementia, or coronary artery disease. Therefore, they should be used at the lowest effective dose when taken long-term.
Managing GERD Through Diet and Lifestyle Habits
To improve GERD symptoms, it’s important to avoid foods that trigger heartburn and reflux and to correct eating habits that increase acid exposure in the esophagus.
Avoid high-fat foods, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and smoking, as these can lower the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter. Alcohol, black pepper, and coffee can also aggravate symptoms and should be limited.
Instead, choose foods like lean meats, white fish, shellfish, low-fat dairy, rice, plain bread, noodles, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. These low-fat protein and carbohydrate options are gentle on the digestive system.
Late-night eating and lying down immediately after meals can disrupt esophageal function and delay stomach emptying. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends avoiding sleep within 3 hours after eating.
For those with abdominal obesity, weight loss through proper exercise can help both prevent and relieve GERD.
Other helpful lifestyle adjustments include:
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Using a high pillow when sleeping
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Lying on your left side
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Avoiding exercises that increase abdominal pressure
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Reducing stress through calming routines
Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖
This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.
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