Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - GERD.

  • Posted: 2/4/2017
  • By: Alvizia Healthcare

GERD also known as Acid Reflux is a chronic condition (Life-long). It is a common disorder that affects the stomach and esophagus. It is a condition in which the acidified liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The backwash (reflux) irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD.

What is GERD? How does it occur?

GERD stands for Gastro – stomach, Esophageal – food pipe, Reflux – return, Disease. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle at the end of esophagus closes and prevents the back flow of food and acidic contents of the stomach. When LES becomes weak or does not function properly, the food and acid from stomach regurgitates (returns) back to food pipe. This causes damage to the inner lining of esophagus resulting in many symptoms.

Causes of GERD
  • Abnormality in lower esophageal sphincters
  • Hiatal hernias
  • Abnormal esophageal contractions
  • Certain foods and beverages like spicy food and alcohol might trigger GERD
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
Symptoms of GERD

symptoms of uncomplicated GERD includes –

  • Heartburn
  • Regurgitation
  • Nausea
  • Acidic taste in mouth
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing
  • Pain while swallowing or sore throat
  • Increased salivation

Symptoms of complicated GERD –

  • Barrett's esophagus – changes in the cell which lines the esophagus. These cells are pre-cancerous and may turn into cancer
  • Ulcers
  • Inflammation of throat and larynx
  • Inflammation and infection in lungs
  • Fluid in sinus and middle ear
  • Cough and asthma
  • Esophageal strictures – narrowing of esophagus due to inflammations
Improving the symptoms - the effects of GERD can be improved by
  • Avoiding alcohol
  • Avoiding consumption of oily and spicy food
  • Not eating close to bedtime
  • Wearing loose fitted clothes
  • Eating smaller meals

Diagnosis and Tests –the following tests are done to confirm GERD
  • Ambulatory pH probe test – a small tube with a pH sensor at the tip is inserted to the esophagus through nose. It takes measurements of acid exposure in the esophagus
  • Endoscopy– it is a way to visually examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper portion (duodenum) of the small intestine insides of esophagus. A thin flexible tube with camera and light is inserted
  • Esophageal manometry– it is a motility test to measure the movement and pressure at esophagus
  • X-Ray– it involves drinking a liquid (barium) that coats the inner walls of esophagus and then the X-Ray of the upper digestive tract is taken

Prevention from GERD
  • Modification or changes in lifestyle – certain food items like spicy food or oily food triggers GERD. Avoiding the consumption of such food helps in preventing the symptoms. Avoiding alcohol and stopping smoking also helps
  • Medications – different medication like antacids, proton-pump inhibitors and H2 receptor blockers are administered. Usually PPI and H2 receptor blockers are used. Many PCD Pharma franchise companies like Alvizia Healthcare market different PPI and histamine blockers like :-
    • ATMOZOLE Capsule contains- Omeprazole
    • ATMO-LAN contains Lansoprazole
    • ATMOREB, ATMOREB-D contains Rabeprazole with domperidone which works by normalising the digestion process; blocking the activity of the proton pumps in the stomach wall.
    • ATMOREB-IT which contains itopride along with rabeprazole. Itopride is used to treat dyspepsia and various gastrointestinal conditions.
    • PENTOM, PENTOM-DSR contains Pantoprazole – along with domperidone