Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease- Things You Need to Know about It

Are you feeling a burning sensation at your chest and throat? Are you belching repeatedly? These are the gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms that often make you feel irritated after having a heavy lunch or dinner. Actually, gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD is kind of disease when your stomach acid, fluids or food elements come back to your esophagus from the stomach. There is a spiral joint between the esophagus and the stomach that only opens while swallowing food. It has acid juice that helps in digesting the food. When you overeat or have spicy, oily and fatty food, that creates pressure on esophagus sphincter and food elements or acidic content come back to your esophagus and you suffer from different types of GERD diseases.

Often these diseases are easily curable and you don’t need to visit a doctor for that. There are lots of home remedies which give you relief from the discomfort. But, sometimes such conditions get chronic and no medicines or remedies give you relief. Then, you shouldn’t be late and consult your doctor immediately. Today, we will get to know more about GERD, what is heartburn, acid reflux and so on.

Common Symptoms of GERD

The common symptoms of GERD are as follows:

·         Burning sensation in your chest and throat (heartburn)

·         Difficulty in swallowing

·         Chest pain

·         Feeling a lump in your throat

·         Belching

·         Regurgitation of sour liquid and food particles

In the nighttime, the symptoms often get worse and you may face

·         Laryngitis

·         Disturbed sleep

·         Chronic cough

·         Worsening asthma (if you already have it)

Reasons for GERD

Usually, food disorder is the main reason for GERD and acid reflux, but there are some other essential reasons that aggravate the issues-

·         Obesity

·         Hiatal hernia

·         Staying in empty stomach for long hours

·         Pregnancy

·         Scleroderma

·         Lying down just after having food

·         Smoking

·         Drinking alcohol

·         Overeating, specifically at night

·         Drinking too much coffee

·         Having certain medicines, like aspirin

Serious Complications Caused by GERD

Usually, acid reflux or gas or heartburn can be solved easily with home remedies or simple antacids, but there are certain diseases which are quite serious and you should consult a doctor on the first stage-

1.      Esophageal Stricture- When stomach acid damages the tissues of the lower esophageal and causes scar in those tissues. Those scars narrow down the food pathway and thus, you get the problem of swallowing food.

2.      Barrett’s Esophagus- When the tissue lining of the lower esophagus gets damaged by the stomach acid, it is known as Barrett’s Esophagus. If you are suffering from it, you have to seek a doctor immediately as negligence can lead to esophagus cancer.

3.      Esophageal Ulcer- When Stomach acid destroys the tissues of the esophagus and creates holes in it, the condition is known as an esophageal ulcer. People, suffering from this disease, may have pain, bleeding, and difficulty in swallowing.

Today, you get to know a lot of things related to GERD. Don’t neglect any symptoms if you are having them on a regular basis. Also, self-medication is dangerous. So, talk to your doctor and find a permanent remedy.