Acid Reflux Disease or GERD: Painful yet manageable

Imagine this scenario. You just came out of your favorite fast-food restaurant having a huge meal and you start having chest pains. At first, you might think of the worst but that is not the case usually. Mostly, these chest pains are a complication of a condition known as Acid Reflux. Acid reflux disease presents itself in more ways than one. But managing these symptoms and the pain is easy once you get to the bottom of the root cause. And to be able to do that, let’s explore the area related to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Some information about Acid Reflux

·         Usually, the symptoms are irregular and don’t often repeat themselves more than twice a week. But, if such a thing happens, the individual is suffering from GERD (Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease).

·         GERD or the symptoms of GERD are seen in almost twenty percent of the adult demographic.

·         The number of people suffering from this disease in tens of millions. In the USA alone, the range has been estimated between 75-120 million people. Usually, these symptoms are temporary. But, if they persist, go and see your physician.

Other small and peculiar symptoms include cough fits and hoarseness. A sore throat can also be confusing as it is a common symptom of the Cold and Flu.

What is Acid Reflux?

The inside of our stomach wall is a lining filled with tissues that secrete juices. These acids are essential for the body to break down food particles. When the acidic juices are being produced in excess or if the pressure is high on the stomach wall, there is no way to go for the gases besides up.  This splash back reaches the esophageal lining and it starts hurting. This causes symptoms such as Chest Pains and indigestion. This condition is known as Acid reflux or in some cases as GERD.

Acid reflux presents itself through symptoms such as:

·         The bad choices we make when it comes to our daily dietary habits.

·         Pain like sensations emanating from the middle part of your chest.

·         The acidic mixture backups into the esophagus which causes other conditions such as ulcerations as well as scar formation in the lines.

·         Stools might be black in color and the vomit might contain traces of blood in them.

What causes Acid Reflux?

The gastro-esophageal tract relies a lot on anti-reflux barriers to do their job. These barriers hold the digestive mixture locked in. But if one of such barriers such as the LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter) gradually loosens up, the gases and the fluid can escape into the esophagus and cause problems. Thus, loosening of the Lower Esophageal sphincter is the usual cause of Acid Reflux.

Changes we can make

·         Avoid smoking altogether and excessive drinking as both of them are triggers for heartburn.

·         Acid Reflux Nausea can be observed after a large meal. Portion control along with healthy diets can help a lot.

·         Medications are available for long-lasting relief from heartburn.

·         Avoid foods with excessive oil and trans-fat.

Take small steps if all of it seems too daunting. These small steps prove to be very beneficial in the future.