Understanding Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It’s a chronic condition where stomach acid and
partially digested food flow back up into the esophagus, causing irritation and symptoms such as
heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain and difficulty swallowing. Here’s some information to help you
understand GERD better:

• Causes: The primary cause of GERD is a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES
  is a ring of muscle that acts as a valve between the stomach and the esophagus. When it
  doesn’t close properly, stomach acid can reflux into the esophagus. Other factors that
  contribute to GERD include obesity, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, certain medications, and
  certain foods and drinks.
• Symptoms: The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, a burning sensation in the
  chest that typically occurs after eating or at night. Other symptoms may include regurgitation
  of food or sour liquid, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, hoarseness voice, and
  a sensation of a lump or foreign body sensation in the throat.
• Diagnosis: If you suspect you have GERD, it’s important to consult a Gastroenterologist.
  Diagnosis typically involves a medical history review, discussion of symptoms, and sometimes
  additional tests such as an Upper GI endoscopy, Esophageal pH monitoring and impedance
  testing, or a barium swallow test.
• Management of GERD:
  Lifestyle Modifications: Emphasize the importance of lifestyle changes to manage GERD.
  Encourage patients to:
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Losing excess weight can reduce pressure on the stomach
    and LES.
  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Overeating can increase the risk of reflux.
  • Avoid trigger foods and beverages: Encourage patients to identify and eliminate or
    limit foods that worsen their symptoms.
  • Elevate the head of the bed: Suggest using bed risers or a wedge pillow to raise the
    upper body during sleep.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking weakens the LES and impairs the protective mechanisms of
    the esophagus.
  • Limit alcohol, caffeine, tobacco chewing: Both can relax the LES and increase acid
    production.
• Dietary Recommendations:
  • Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean
    proteins.
  • Choose low-fat dairy products.
  • Avoid or limit spicy, fatty, fried, and acidic foods.
  • Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly.
  • Avoid eating 2-3 hours before bedtime.
• Medications: some of medications used to treat GERD are antacids, H2 blockers, and proton
  pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medications work by reducing the acid production.
• Complications: If left untreated, GERD can lead to complications such as esophagitis
  (inflammation of the esophagus), esophageal strictures (narrowing of the esophagus),
  Barrett’s esophagus (changes in the lining of the esophagus), and an increased risk of
  developing esophageal cancer.
• It’s always recommended to consult with a Gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and
  appropriate treatment of GERD.

Dr. Panchalingappa Betageri MD, DM (Gastro)
Assistant Professor, Department of Gastroenterology
KLES Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi