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GERD Risk Factors

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23rd May 2018




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Disease of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is very widely spread. This problem can bother both men and women. Our stomach produces hydrochloric acid and we should be grateful for this. Without this acid, the food that we consume wouldn t digest. Hydrochloric acid forms an acidic medium in the stomach. But in the esophagus the environment is alkaline. If the content of the stomach gets into the esophagus (contrary to the physiological flap between the esophagus and stomach), then heartburn will inevitably develop. With regular GERD, the esophagus mucosa starts breaking down and this is a serious problem. The mouth suffers from this too. Caries, canker sores in children and adults, teeth enamel destruction are common issues when you have GERD.

Symptoms:

  1. Chest pain
  2. An unpleasant taste in the mouth
  3. Sensation of a lump in your throat
  4. Obstructed reflex swallowing
  5. Usually, heartburn appears after eating (plentiful) or after sleeping and resting (horizontal position) or inclines
  6. A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night

If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience:

  • Chronic cough
  • Laryngitis
  • New or worsening asthma
  • Disrupted sleep

Lifestyle and GERD risk factors:

  • People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from GERD. Weight loss often helps in reducing the symptoms of GERD.
  • Smokers are at risk, they are more likely to suffer from GERD. Quitting smoking helps patients with this problem.
  • Patients are advised to eat less and more often. Consume small portions. It s better than eating three large meals a day. The last meal should be at least 4 hours before bedtime. Laying down on the bed or on a sofa, immediately after a meal is undesirable.
  • Other food and drink triggers include alcohol, coffee, chocolate, tomatoes, oily or spicy food. They should be avoided by people who suffer with GERD.
  • Do not wear tight clothes. Especially those that exert pressure upon the stomach. For example, tight pants, belts and corsets.
  • Try to position your head up to 8 inches higher when you sleep. To do this, you can raise the head-part of your bed. You can place a wedge or block under the legs of the bed. This helps reduce the symptoms of GERD. Extra pillows are not recommended because they increase pressure on the stomach.
  • If you take medicines that increase acidity, you should stop or replace them with other preparations.

If you have a feeling from time to time that a fire-breathing dragon is sitting inside of you, this is a reason to consult a therapist or gastroenterologist. Of course, heartburn itself is not a fatal disease, but it worsens the quality of life.