Managing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Symptoms, treatment & remedies

Do you feel sour food coming back to your mouth and food pipe? If. Yes, you are experiencing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Here’s what it is and how to treat it.

Any dysfunction in the body can cause a lot of problems.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one such dysfunction.

The gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic digestive disease that happens when the contents of the stomach flow reverse back into the food pipe or oesophagus, which irritates the lining of the food pipe causing a burning sensation followed by other symptoms. Let us study today in detail how it happens and how we can treat it.

Understanding GERD: Symptoms and diagnosis

know Managing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Symptoms, Treatment, and Natural Remedies

The term “gastroesophageal” refers to the stomach and oesophagus, and reflux means to flow back or return. Gastroesophageal reflux is when the contents of your stomach push themselves back into your oesophagus causing a burning sensation.

By default, the digestion process is designed in a way that the lower oesophageal sphincter allows food to enter the stomach and then shuts down to prevent the food from flowing back.

Gastroesophageal reflux is a chronic digestive disease affecting the same ring (lower oesophageal sphincter) between the food pipe (oesophagus) and the stomach which causes the fluid or the stomach's contents to revert to the oesophagus which results in indigestion and heartburn.

In most cases, it can be treated with lifestyle and nutrition changes, but some people may require medical supervision and treatment.

Identifying triggers: Foods and factors that cause acid reflux

Some foods can worsen gastroesophageal reflux, while the foods may vary from person to person, according to studies here are some of the common foods that worsen or trigger acid reflux.

Spicy foods
Chocolate
Acidic foods and drinks such as citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes, garlic, and onion.
Carbonated drinks like soda
Mint
Caffeinated drinks
Alcohol
Tea

It is necessary to observe the foods that trigger or alleviate acid reflux and it is advised to consult a doctor for a personalised analysis of the same.

Exploring treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux can be treated, at home as well as with some medical consultation, depending on the severity of the same. Your doctor might be able to diagnose GERD based on the history of your signs and symptoms and a physical examination. Here are the measures they can deploy to diagnose GERD:

Upper endoscopy: A thin flexible tube with a small light and a camera will be inserted down your throat to collect the tissue, and detect and examine the inflammation in the lower oesophageal sphincter.
X-ray of the upper digestive system: X-rays of the upper digestive system can be taken to study the condition of the oesophagus and stomach.
Ambulatory acid (pH) probe test: A monitor which is connected to a computer is placed in your oesophagus to view how and when the influx happens.
Transnasal oesophagoscopy: A thin flexible tube with a tiny camera is inserted from your nose down to your throat to look for any damage that might have happened inside the oesophageal sphincter.
Oesophageal manometry: This test measures the rhythmic muscle contractions in your oesophagus when you swallow food after consuming it.

After the diagnosis, the doctor you will consult will suggest lifestyle and nutrition changes and prescribe medicines to treat GERD. The medicines may differ from person to person. The medicines will have the following functions:

Reduce acid production
Heal the oesophagus
Neutralise stomach acids

Natural remedies for managing acid reflux and GERD symptoms

We talked about the medical help that can treat GERD, but there are also natural home remedies to treat this:

Avoid food and beverages that trigger gastroesophageal reflux: Foods like chocolate, peppermint, spicy and fatty foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, alcohol, and caffeine, these foods trigger GERD so it is better to avoid the intake.
Chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly: Chew every morsel properly and eat slowly so that it is not forced inside.
Eat 2-3 hours before bedtime: Avoid consuming food right before bed, eat 2-3 hours before to ensure it is digested.
Eat digestible and light meals before bed: Eating foods that are easily digestible and light in nature will eliminate the pressure on the stomach.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity worsens symptoms, maintain a healthy weight.
Wear loose clothes: Wear comfortable and loose clothes, tight clothes put pressure on your stomach.
Elevate your head: Raising the head of your bed on 6-inch blocks stops the stomach from refluxing its contents into your esophagus.
Stay hydrated: Consumption of an optimum amount of water can ensure proper passing of food and digestion.
Quit smoking: Smoking is extremely unhealthy and weakens the lower oesophageal sphincter and irritates the oesophagus.

Conclusion

Our health should be our priority, everything can come later. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one such calling from our body to take immediate action, our body shows signs when it is not feeling well. Consult a healthcare professional to get yourself treated or change your lifestyle and nutrition choices and take precautions to avoid any complications.