Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Numerous people have a burning feeling in their chest sometimes due to the GERD condition, but this condition might be repeated a lot and become chronic, and it also leads to serious complications.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is the flowing back of the gastric acid into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach) due to specific reasons, which makes it irritated and inflamed.

When GERD occurs a few times occasionally, it isn’t considered a disease, but when it’s repeated a lot and for a long period of time, then it’s a condition that must be managed.

Causes of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

There’s a muscle that closes off the stomach after eating to prevent the food and acid from flowing back, but due to some causes, this muscle might become weak or has a certain problem that prevents it from closing completely, which leads to GERD.

Some factors that increase the risk of GERD:

• Hiatal hernia, which occurs when the top of the stomach pushes up through the hole in the diaphragm where the esophagus passes through.
• Obesity.
• Pregnancy.
• Smoking.
• Delayed gastric emptying.
• Some congenital defects, like esophageal atresia.
• Some connective tissue disorders, like scleroderma.
• Previous surgeries in the chest or upper abdomen.
• Some medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Having big meals, especially at night.
• Excessive eating of fatty and fried meals or alcohol and caffeine.

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Regurgitation (backwash), which means the flow back of the acid, food, and drinks from the stomach into the throat.
• A sour taste in the mouth.
• Burning feeling in the chest, which is known as heartburn.
• Pain in the chest and upper stomach.
• Nausea.
• A lump feeling in the throat.
• Worsening the asthma symptoms.
• GERD at night might lead to a persistent cough and laryngitis sometimes.
• The symptoms worsen when lying down or bending over.

These symptoms might occur in children and babies if they have GERD:

• Refusing to eat.
• Excessive fussiness.
• Small vomiting episodes.
• Bad breath.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Wheezing or hoarseness.

Complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Esophagitis.
• Increased risk of esophagus cancer.
• Esophagus stricture.
• Irritated bronchial tubes and shortness of breath.

Diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Asking about the symptoms and physical examination.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Medications.
• Following a healthy lifestyle.
• Surgery in some cases.