Acid Reflux Should Not Be Ignored
Mar 20, 2020There are a band of muscles at the base of the esophagus that open when a person swallows to allow food’s entry into the stomach; they then close to prevent the food from going back up. If these bands of muscle do not open or close properly, the stomach contents move back into the throat. When this happens, the stomach acids present cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest. This is known as acid reflux and is also called heartburn. An occasional incident of this kind is common, but if it happens more than once a week, it may be a case of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can cause regurgitation of food from the stomach to the mouth, lead to difficulty in swallowing and can result in asthma-like breathing problems and coughing fits.
Supplementary Causes
There are several medical and lifestyle issues that can increase a person’s chances of developing GERD. These include, but are not limited to:
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Tissue disorders
- Hiatal hernia
- Smoking
- Consuming excessively large meals
- Consumption of certain types of food, often fried or spicy items
- Drinking tea, coffee, aerated drinks or alcohol
- Taking certain types of medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
Diagnosis
There are several methods of confirming the presence of GERD. These include:
- Drinking a barium solution so that an X-ray image of the digestive tract can be obtained to confirm the presence of GERD.
- Endoscopy: In this procedure, a flexible tube with a minute camera is passed into the esophagus to view the lining and, if needed, a small tissue sample is collected for pathological testing.
- Manometry which uses a flexible tube that is inserted into the esophagus to check the strength and condition of the muscles.
- pH monitoring during which a monitor is inserted into the esophagus to see when and how much stomach acid enters it.
Complications
GERD is not normally a serious medical issue. However, in some cases it can lead to serious medical problems such as:
- Inflammation of the esophagus known as esophagitis
- Constriction of the esophagus that makes swallowing difficult
- Permanent damage or changes to the lining of the esophagus
- Asthma, coughing and other respiratory problems caused by the inhalation of the stomach acid into the lungs
- Tooth decay and other dental problems caused by the presence of stomach acid in the mouth
- Oesophageal cancer
Acid reflux is a common problem and GERD, by itself is not normally a serious condition. However, this does not mean that it should be ignored. If untreated, GERD can evolve into a more complex and serious medical condition. Being examined and tested for GERD at new medical centre that has a gastroenterology department with specialists and state-of-the-art equipment to deliver a complete and accurate diagnosis can help in the treatment of GERD.
Comments - 0
Share Your Thoughts
SEARCH
RECENT BLOGS
CATEGORIES
மாரடைப்பின் எச்சரிக்கை அறிகுறிகளை அறியுங்கள் – தாமதிக்காமல் செயல்படுங்கள்!
7 Proven Ways to Live a Heart Healthy Life
Common Heart Procedures An Overview
Common Tests To Diagnose Heart Disease
All You Need To Know About Coronary Artery Disease
How to Manage Stress at Work? | Heart Health
Staying Healthy During A Pandemic
Healthcare in the Post COVID-19 World
A Guide to your Pregnancy Hormones
The Functions Of The Thyroid Gland
எண்டோகிரைன் கோளாறுகள் - வகைகள், காரணங்கள், அறிகுறிகள், நோய் கண்டறிதல் மற்றும் சிகிச்சை வகைகள்
Can Diabetes be cured permanently?
The Importance of Health Packages in Staying Healthy
Whom to See First? General Physician or Specialist?
Knowing When to Go to the Hospital
How to Find the Right Hospital Near You?
Why Multispecialty Hospitals Are the Best
The Link Between Diabetes And Obesity
வாழ்க்கை முறை மாற்றங்கள் மூலம் கொலஸ்ட்ரால் அளவைக் குறைப்பது எப்படி?
The Importance Of Limiting Time On Tech Devices For Children
Sitting Too Much and Heart Health: The Link
Health Risks While Returning to Work after the Lockdown
Traumatic Brain Injury - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
ஸ்ட்ரோக் - சிகிச்சையும் பாதுகாப்பும்
5 Things to Know About Cerebral Palsy
List of Common Urogynaecology Surgical Procedures
Tips for Successful Breast Feeding
The Importance of Regular Gynaecological Examinations
The Importance of Self Breast Examination
Understanding the Various Stages of Lung Cancer
Can Lung Cancer Be Diagnosed Without a Biopsy?
Healthy Habits That Can Help Deal with Lung Cancer
கீல்வாத மூட்டுவலி என்பது என்ன?
Herniated Disk: When Is Surgery Needed?