Acid reflux disease

There are millions of people suffering from reflux problems. The medical term to this condition is called as GERD or gastrointestinal reflux disease. It causes to move the stomach contents and stomach acids to the elementary canal. This causes inflammation in the elementary canal and other serious damage. The symptoms of the reflux problems are heartburns, chest pain, voice hoarseness and nausea. Gastrointestinal problems arise due to the LES valve that closes the passage between the stomach and elementary canal is opened and due to this the acid flows back to the food canal.

How it happens:

In order to transform the food in the stomach into simpler form it needs some medium. The stomach acids provide this medium. This partially digested food is then sent to the intestines to digest it completely. However, this does not happens in case of persons affected with reflux problems. Some may have a weakened LES valve that makes the acid to go to the food canal. In some cases acidic contents even rise to the mouth level. Other factors that contribute to the reflux may be pregnancy, obesity, delaying emptying of bowel, smoking and drinking that increases caffeine and nicotine in the body, excess intake of alcohol. Acid reflux is a chronic disease that can be treated but cannot be cured. So, when a person is diagnosed with reflux problems he will have to continue to take mediations till life. If the symptoms are neglected over a long period of time the disease can reach up to chronic levels and can also cause Esophagitis. Continued care of the disease reduces the chances of developing it further. Diagnosis of the reflux disease can be done by barium swallow X-rays and esophageal manometer. 24 hour esophageal pH monitoring and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy. EGD is done when the patient does not respond well to treatment. Symptoms of reflux are anemia, blood in stool, wheezing, weight loss or voice change.

Treatments available:

There are many treatments available over the counter. Many claim to be quick fixes but they last for a short while. Proper treatment would be by taking a combination of foods that don’t produce acids along with lifestyle changes and medications. This combination doesn’t cures the Acid reflux but makes sure that the condition doesn’t gets worse.