What is this condition?
This is a condition caused by acid from the stomach refluxing into the oesophagus. There is a ring at the lower end of the oesophagus which normally prevents this from happening. When this ring becomes loose, acid can reflux .
What causes it?
The most common cause for this is a hiatus hernia. This is when a part of the stomach moves into the chest. This is caused by various reasons including obesity, pregnancy, and even aging. Dietary and lifestyle choices may contribute to GERD. Certain foods including chocolate, fried food, alcoholic beverages and coffee can trigger it.
What are the main symptoms?
The main symptoms are heartburn (burning sensation in the chest) but there can be complaints of difficulty in swallowing and acid coming into the mouth.
How do you diagnose this condition?
The main stay of diagnosis is by doing an endoscopy. This involves passage of a flexible tube into the esophagus and stomach. It is a very simple procedure and should not take more then 5 -7 minutes. Other tests used are doing pressure studies in the oesophagus (called manometry) or a barium swallow..
How is it treated?
The main stay of treatment is using lifestyle measures like losing weight if overweight, sleeping with the head of the bed elevated, avoiding eating for at least 3-4 hours before going to bed and avoiding wearing tight clothing at bedtime.
Other measures include using antacids like Gaviscon and /or taking a drug called Omeprazole or Lansoprazole. In difficult cases, surgery can help.
New technologies for treatment include endoscopic tightening the ring of the lower esophageal sphincter which has been used with some success.
By
Dr. Joseph Tharakan
Consultant Internal Medicine
Fellow of the Royal College of physician (UK) (FRCP)
Member of American College of Gastroenterology (AGA)
Hadi Clinic