In the middle of a tasty meal, suddenly you feel something painful or burning sensation on your chest, you keep on burping, you can’t swallow the food, you feel acid indigestion, and difficulty in breathing. As a result, you pause and drink fluid at the same time. However, it becomes more painful because of the large amount of food intake.
This situation could reflect that there is something wrong with your health. That also includes some choices you make for your lifestyle.
Read through this article and respond immediately to early signs and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
Everything you need to know about GERD
GERD is when stomach acid moves back continuously to your throat with a bitter or sour taste. This is a digestive disorder that affects the esophagus or the tube where the food and fluid pass. The LES or lower esophageal sphincter is responsible for the entrance of food and fluid. It will get scarred every time you experience frequent burping and triggered hyperacidity.
Stomach acid rises when the LES is weak which is why you are incapable of swallowing your food and drinking water. This has caused frequent clinic visits because of regurgitation. Too much stomach acid causes bloatedness too. Thus, the doctors prescribe Pantoprazole.
According to related research, the increase of GERD cases in Asia has risen up to 6.3% in the early 2000s including in the Philippines. But in 2010, the increase climbed up to 8.5%. Thus, in 2015, the Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine released the Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of GERD.
Spot the GERD symptoms
Heartburn is the primary symptom of GERD. It is a burning sensation occurring on your chest because of a stomach content going up to your throat. This happens when the stomach acid reaches your mouth causing you to vomit and feel physically strained.
Acid reflux may also cause dyspepsia as there is frequent discomfort on your stomach because of indigestion. Other symptoms of GERD that you should pay attention to are:
- Hard to swallow food and fluid
- Chest pain that affects your back
- Sore throat and coughing
- Feeling a lump in your throat
- Messed up sleeping pattern
These symptoms are not only limited to the adults and it has to do with the current lifestyle you have. Pregnant women also bear this kind of health condition.
Manage GERD in a proper way
There are several effective ways to treat acid reflux and prevent it from coming back. Before you go to the doctor, make sure to prepare the proper first aid at home.
Home remedies
The common root cause of GERD is the food or drink that you take into your stomach. You need to lessen fatty foods, carbonated drinks, caffeine, and alcohol and consider 2-3 hours rest after a meal before going to bed.
Doctors suggest most patients with recurring acid reflux have generic acid reflux medicine on standby at all times.
Physical Exercises
The first line of defense against becoming obese is to do physical activities. If you gain too much weight, it could pressure your stomach to push the LES. That is why a moderate body figure can also help ease the effect of acid reflux and keep you from having diabetes too. But, bear in mind that too much exercise will not work as prevention.
Medication
Sometimes, your GERD becomes unbearable, and people are rushed to emergency rooms. If it is not already responding to treatments, you could be diagnosed with a severe GERD. Doctors proceed to necessary methodologies such as the following:
- Endoscopy
- Reflux Testing
- Esophageal Manometry
- Barium Esophagram
Takeaway
As early as now, you are capable of monitoring your health and lifestyle by following the correct treatment and doctor’s recommendation. Be responsible for taking good care of your health at all times.
