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Gear up to battle Gerd

G.E.R.D or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease is something we hear about a lot these days. GERD is a condition in which partially digested food in the stomach backs up into the esophagus. We could call it a lifestyle disease and the reasons behind naming it so are many. As the column proceeds, you will realize that GERD is something we can take precautions against and in case, there is someone we know who suffers from this, can follow the few essential tips that can make things easier.

Is GERD a new disease?
GERD is a relatively new term for recognized conditions commonly called "acid indigestion", "heartburn", "reflux", "reflux esophagitis" and "hiatal hernia". It was somewhere in 1980s that doctors started using the term "GERD"f because it describes the real problem better - reflux of irritating stomach contents into the esophagus. GERD is becoming the preferred medical term for these conditions. Many people have never heard the term GERD and are not aware that GERD can have potentially serious health effects. Doctors may still use other terms for conditions, which actually are symptoms of GERD.

Understanding GERD
Let us first understand the words Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. Gastro refers to the stomach. Esophageal refers to the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Reflux means to back-up or flow backwards. The effect of which can be seen as partially digested food contains a strong acid like the one used in automobile batteries. It also contains powerful enzymes that break down food. When acid and enzymes come into contact with the esophagus, they cause irritation, inflammation, pain and other symptoms. The stomach lining has a special protective layer that protects the stomach from acid attack. However, this protective layer does not exist in the esophagus, making it vulnerable to damage from stomach acid and digestive enzymes.

Symptoms of GERD

Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. It feels like a burning chest pain right behind the breastbone. Pain may move upward toward the throat. Often it is worse after meals. Bending over or lying down also may make heartburn worse. Standing up may bring relief. Heartburn often occurs after going to bed at night.
Burping-up, or regurgitation of sour-tasting, acidy material into the mouth.
Difficult or painful swallowing.
Sore throat or hoarseness.
Wheezing in people with asthma.

How is heartburn related to GERD?
Many people think that heartburn (or acid indigestion) is a separate disease. It actually is a symptom of GERD. Heartburn is an unpleasant burning sensation under the breastbone that usually occurs after a meal.

Most individuals with GERD also have hiatal hernias, which makes it easier for stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach bulges into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that separates the stomach cavity from the chest cavity.

Treatment of GERD
GERD can be treated with lifestyle changes, medication or surgery. Many people with GERD improve a great deal by eliminating factors in their daily lives that contribute to reflux. Lifestyle changes often are used in combination with non-prescription or prescription drugs. In rare cases, however, when those measures fail, surgery can provide relief.

Life style changes
GERD may occur less often or disappear after individuals make simple changes in daily life. Changes involve eliminating factors that cause reflux.
Some common foods and beverages increase the risk of reflux by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Reflux triggers include alcoholic beverages, chocolate, carbonated beverages, coffee, tea, soft drinks containing caffeine, spicy foods and fatty foods.
Cigarettes contain chemicals that also relax the LES as they pass from the lungs into the blood.
Obesity increases abdominal pressure, forcing stomach contents past the LES. In some cases, GERD symptoms disappear completely after an overweight person loses 2 to 3 kgs.
Sleeping habits can trigger GERD. Lying down flat presses the stomach’s contents against the LES. When a person goes to bed within two-three hours of heavy eating or drinking, a meal that includes GERD-triggering foods - spicy food, wine, coffee and a chocolate dessert, for instance - makes matters much worse.
Clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen squeezes the stomach. It can force food up against the LES. Problem clothing includes tight-fitting belts and slenderizing undergarments.

How to avoid heartburn and other GERD Symptoms

Eat smaller meals. A full stomach puts extra pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), increasing the chances that food will reflux into the esophagus.
Lose weight if you are overweight. Obesity increases abdominal pressure, which can push stomach contents up into the esophagus.
Stop smoking. Chemicals in cigarette smoke weaken the LES.
Sleep with your head raised a few inches. Sleeping with the head higher than the stomach reduces the pressure at which partially digested food in the stomach presses on the LES. Try using an extra pillow. Place books, bricks, or blocks securely under the legs at the head of your bed.
Avoid eating within two-three hours of bedtime. Lying down with a full stomach results in stomach contents pressing harder against the LES, increasing chances that food will reflux.
Avoid tight-fitting belts or garments around the waist. They squeeze the stomach, and may force food to reflux into the esophagus.
Avoid bending over or stooping after meals. Lift objects by keeping the upper part of your body straight and bending your knees.
Avoid foods and beverages that can trigger GERD. Some foods weaken the LES. They include: alcohol, coffee, tea, cola drinks and other beverages containing caffeine, carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and tomato sauces and spicy foods.

What if GERD persists?
In some cases, GERD may occur for a brief period of time and then disappear forever. Women, for instance, may experience GERD during pregnancy and never again. Obese people who permanently lose weight may be cured of GERD. Often, however, GERD is a chronic disease that does continue. Fortunately, most people have mild GERD that occurs once in a while. It almost never causes any serious or permanent damage to the body. People with mild GERD learn what foods and other factors trigger their symptoms and can usually avoid GERD attacks. Severe GERD that continues for years without proper treatment can damage the esophagus and result in serious health problems

Is surgery an option?
When severe symptoms of GERD persist even after lifestyle changes and drug treatment, surgery may provide relief. In the past, surgical treatment of GERD required a large abdominal incision and meant a long period of recovery. The use of a laparoscope, a thin viewing tube and the development of laparoscopic surgery methods, however, has made surgery for GERD easier on patients. Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, is done through small incisions. Patients can leave the hospital quicker and recover faster.

 

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[SHAYAN]

Gud
T 4 S

 

[ROSE]

Very good

 

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Kabhi zindagi me kisik liay mut rona**
q k vo''tumhare ansoun k kabil nahi ho ga''
or ''vo'' jo is ''kabil'' ho ga vo tumhe ''rone'' nahi de ga''*****

[(¯*♥¤»ƙɧՄՏɧՅԾԾ«¤♥*¯)]

thanks

 

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[*NRB*]

hmm nice

 

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[Abewsha]

nice sharing..............