GERD and Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a very common condition. At the entrance of the stomach, there is a valve, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) which is a ring of muscle. When we eat LES closes once the food passes through it. Sometimes LES does not close fully or keep opening frequently causing acid produced in the stomach move up and enter inside the esophagus.

It results in acid reflux and a person begins to experience symptoms like burning chest known as heartburn. If you face such symptoms then you may have acid reflux disease. You might have GERD gastroesophageal if you experience acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week.

Factors that lead to acid reflux:

  • Extreme pressure on the abdomen. Some pregnant ladies experience heartburn regularly because of increased pressure.
  • Consumption of spicy or fried food items and poor eating habits.
  • Taking medicines related to high blood pressure, painkillers, ant allergies, and more.
  • Condition of hiatal hernia. The stomach’s upper part bulges in to diaphragm and it gets in the way when you eat.

Some common symptoms of GERD:

  • Heartburn
  • Food returning back to the mouth
  • Coughing and vomiting
  • Problem in swallowing food
  • Feeling like food is stuck in the throat

Infants and children experience somewhat similar types of GERD symptoms

  • Frequent vomiting
  • Not feeling hungry and crying a lot
  • Sour taste of acid
  • Breathing problem
  • Not falling asleep easily after eating

How GERD is diagnosed?

Specialists can tell you if you are experiencing normal symptoms of acid reflux by asking you the symptoms you have. With diet and medications, it can be controlled.

If medication doesn’t help then specialists might ask to go for GERD tests like:

Biopsy and upper gastrointestinal GI endoscopy: A tube having a tiny camera is threaded for examination in your esophagus. If required a sample tissue is collected.

Barium Swallow: For measuring the strength of muscles of your esophageal a flexible tube is threaded in the esophagus.

Esophagealmanometry: X-ray of the upper digestive tract is done and before it patient is made to drink a solution of barium.

Esophageal pH monitoring: In your esophagus, a monitor is inserted to know when stomach acid gets inside it.

At AgrawalGastrocareCenter we customize the treatment plan depending on the needs of the patient. Our specialists can help you with getting rid of all the symptoms you are experiencing and feel completely fit.