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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The disorder that occurs in this food pipe is termed as oesophageal disorders

Cancer Surgeon

WHAT IS GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the oesophagus (tube connecting your mouth and stomach). This backwash of fluid is termed as acid reflux and can lead to irritation in the lining of the oesophagus.

GERD is a long term regular occurring illness that can affect people of all age groups. It may result due to the dysfunctional valve present at the joint connecting oesophagus and stomach, resulting in serious tissue damage. According to doctors, people with asthma are at high risk of developing GERD.

SYMPTOMS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

Signs and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease include:

  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Burning sensation in the chest (heartburn) that usually happens after eating something
  • Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
  • The sensation of a lump in the throat

People with night acid reflux experiences:

  • Bad breath
  • Cavities
  • Chronic cough
  • Disrupted sleep
  • Inflammation of the gums
  • Laryngitis or hoarseness
  • New or worsening asthma

Everyone experience GERD at some point in time. It can happen with a burp or after eating food, a person must see a doctor if it causes heartburn or unbearable irritation often.

CAUSES OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

Occasional acid reflux has now become very common and is a result of excessive eating, having spicier fried food, or lying down after eating. However, if the patient experiences it more often than it is GERD. The person’s risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease may increase with the following factors:

  • Obesity: People with high BMI or overweight because of increased pressure on the abdomen are at high risk of developing GERD.
  • Pregnancy: Pregnant women with heavy abdomen weight, have increased chances of developing GERD.
  • Hiatal Hernia: It is a condition where to acid in the stomach moves into the oesophagus due to the opening in the diaphragm.
  • Due To Certain Medication: Taking medication such as asthma medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, calcium channel blockers and sedatives can elevate chances of GERD.
  • Excessive Smoking: People who smoke or exposed to passive smoking are at risk of causing GERD.
  • Scleroderma- Connective tissue disorders
  • Delayed stomach emptying
  • Eating large meals late at night
  • Eating certain foods like fatty or fried foods
  • Drinking hard beverages like alcohol or coffee

DIAGNOSING GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

Our team of best surgeons in Delhi offer the most comprehensive service to diagnose conditions related to GERD. The common tests used at the hospital to diagnose and evaluate gastroesophageal reflux disease include:

  • X-Ray of Upper Digestive System: The X-ray helps the doctors to examine the oesophagus, stomach, and upper intestine. This is done using a barium swallow method, where a patient drinks the barium solution to give a detail inside of the digestive system.
  • Upper Endoscopy: It is a test performed to obtain the inside of the oesophagus and stomach using a thin, flexible endoscope having a tiny camera on its top.
  • Ambulatory Acid (pH) Test: This test is performed to monitor the amount of acid in the oesophagus and for how long, stomach acid regurgitates there.
  • Esophageal Impedance Test: This test is performed to measure the movement of substances reflecting back into the oesophagus from the stomach.
  • Esophageal Manometry: It is a test performed to measure the rhythmic muscle contractions happening in the oesophagus when a patient swallows food. The test helps in measuring the oesophagus’ muscle coordination.

TREATMENTS FOR GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

It has been observed that GERD can be relieved by making some serious lifestyle and dietary changes. However, for severe cases of GERD patient may require medication or surgery.

Medication

OTC medications

The doctor prescribes over-the-counter medicines that help in neutralising the acid in the stomach or reduce its production thereby helping in healing oesophagus. These medicines include:

  • Antacids to help neutralise the acid in the stomach
  • Mylanta
  • Rolaids
  • Tums

Medications to reduce the production of acid in the stomach

Also known as H-2-receptor blockers these medicines include:

  • Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
  • Ranitidine (Zantac)
  • Nizatidine (Axid AR)
  • Famotidine (Pepcid AC)

Medications that block the production of stomach acid and heal the oesophagus

Also known as Proton Pump Inhibitors these medicines are stronger than H-2-receptor blockers and helps in healing of the oesophagus. OTC Proton Pump Inhibitors are:

  • Lansoprazole (Prevacid 24 HR)
  • Omeprazole (Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC)

Surgery

Many cases of GERD can be controlled with lifestyle changes and prescribed medicines. However, in cases where medicines don’t show improvement, the doctor may recommend surgery. Generally, there are two types of surgical treatment available for GERD, such as:

  • Fundoplication: It is a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure where a surgeon tends to sew the top part of the stomach around the lower oesophageal sphincter to reduce the reflux of stomach acid.
  • Endoscopic Procedure: it includes the use of stitches to tighten the sphincter muscle via endoscopic sewing. And procedures like radiofrequency, that helps in producing small burns in order to tighten the sphincter muscle.
  • LINX Device: The device is implanted using a minimally invasive approach to wrap the junction of the oesophagus and stomach with a ring of tiny magnetic beads. This ring is strong enough to block the acidic reflux in the oesophagus and weak enough to allow the passage of food from the oesophagus to the stomach.

It is critical to profoundly understand what really matters to patients when it comes to disease management and treatment expectations.

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