Gastro-oesophageal reflux (acid reflux)
What
is gastro-oesophageal reflux?
Gastro-oesophageal reflux is
a condition where the lower oesophageal sphincter (the muscular ring at the
lower end of the oesophagus) is abnormally relaxed and allows the stomach's
acidic contents to flow back or 'reflux' into the oesophagus. It can also cause
heartburn.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux is
a common condition and the most frequent cause of indigestion.
What
is oesophagitis?
Oesophagitis is inflammation
of the inner lining of the oesophagus caused by repeated episodes of
gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Symptoms
of gastro-oesophageal reflux oesophagitis?
- A painful or burning sensation in the upper abdomen or
chest, sometimes radiating to the back (heartburn).
- The acid reflux may reach the pharynx (throat) and
mouth. It is sour and may burn.
- A small number of patients have difficulties breathing
and suffer from hoarseness because the refluxed fluid irritates the larynx
and respiratory tract.
- Excess belching is common.
When gastro-oesophageal reflux occur?
- Symptoms typically occur after eating a large or fatty
meal or drinking alcohol.
- Lying down, bending over or bending and lifting can all
cause reflux.
- It is made worse by smoking.
- Reflux symptoms may have no apparent cause.
- The frequency with which the symptoms occur varies. For
most people, they are rare but weekly and daily episodes of refluxes are
not uncommon.
Disturbance
due to GERD
It is an unpleasant
condition that can have a big influence on your lifestyle.
Many people feel that their
quality of life is lowered by the symptoms.
Prolonged exposure to
refluxed acid leads to oesophagitis (inflammation of the oesophagus).
Long-standing oesophagitis may be complicated by the formation of scar tissue
that contracts and results in a narrowing (stricture) in the affected part of
the oesophagus. This can make it difficult or even impossible to swallow. It is
a serious condition that requires urgent assessment and treatment, but,
fortunately, this complication is relatively rare.
Reason
for stomach acid travel up the oesophagus
The trouble is caused by the
faulty oesophageal sphincter, the muscular ring at the lower end of the
oesophagus, near the diaphragm. The sphincter is designed to prevent the
stomach contents from flowing upward - it functions as one-way valve.
If the sphincter does not
work properly, stomach acid flows into the oesophagus. The reflux tendency
increases when the stomach contains a lot of gastric juice or food and when
there is increased pressure in or on the stomach.
Causes
of gastro-oesophageal reflux?
In many cases, the disorder
cannot be attributed to any specific cause but the following conditions can
contribute to the problem.
Meals
- The
more the stomach is stretched by food, the higher the tendency to reflux.
The tendency is also increased by eating fatty meals as fat delays gastric
emptying.
- Try
to avoid large rich meals, particularly in the evening and this will
reduce the tendency to reflux.
Foods
- Chocolate,
peppermint, coffee, fruit juices and alcohol prevent the oesophageal
sphincter from working properly.
Tobacco
- Tobacco
prevents the oesophageal sphincter from working properly, reduces the rate
at which the stomach empties and increases stomach acid production.
Constipation
- Constipation
increases the tendency to reflux by raising pressure inside the stomach
cavity.
Lying
down
- The
tendency to reflux increases when you are lying down. This is just due to
gravity. A simple way to change that is to use a pillow under the mattress
or to raise the head of your bed by 10cm (4 inches) with blocks or a house
brick under the bed frame.
Overweight
- If
the person is overweight the excessive fat in the abdominal cavity
increases the pressure inside it. This causes the contents of the stomach
to travel up into the gullet.
- Loss
of weight reduces stomach acid reflux.
Pregnancy
- Because
the uterus increases in size during pregnancy, it presses on the stomach,
creating higher pressure inside it, which increases the tendency to
reflux.
- In
addition, hormonal changes lead to relaxation of the oesophageal sphincter
during pregnancy.
Hiatus
hernia
- The
stomach pokes through the diaphragm, preventing the muscle fibres of the
diaphragm from closing the lower end of the oesophagus. The oesophagus
remains wide open which allows stomach acid to get into the oesophagus.
Prevention
of gastro-oesophageal reflux?
The following changes in
lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing reflux:
- try to lose weight if you are overweight
- avoid large, high-fat meals and bedtime snacks
- limit coffee intake
- reduce alcohol consumption
- stop smoking.
If the symptoms are not
frequent - less than five times a month - they can be treated with
over-the-counter medications such as antacids and histamine antagonists. Homeopathy
medicines helps to cure GERD permanently
Treatment
Symptomatic Homeopathy medicines works well for GERD & Heart
Bur
Whom to contact for GERD Treatment
Dr.Senthil Kumar Treats many cases of GERD, In
his medical professional experience with successful results. Many patients get
relief after taking treatment from Dr.Senthil Kumar. Dr.Senthil Kumar
visits Chennai at Vivekanantha Homeopathy Clinic, Velachery, Chennai 42. To get
appointment please call 9786901830, +91 94430 54168 or mail to consult.ur.dr@gmail.com,
For more details & Consultation Feel
free to contact us.
Vivekanantha
Clinic Consultation Champers at
Chennai:- 9786901830
Panruti:- 9443054168
Pondicherry:- 9865212055 (Camp)
For appointment please
Call us or Mail Us
For
appointment: SMS your Name -Age – Mobile Number - Problem in Single word -
date and day - Place of appointment (Eg: Rajini – 30 - 99xxxxxxx0 – GERD, நெஞ்செரிச்சல், கர்ட், ஆசிட் ரிப்ளெக்ஸ்– 21st Oct, Sunday -
Chennai ), You will receive Appointment details through SMS
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