How To Eliminate Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
A lot of people wonder if they have gastroesopheageal reflux disease. In general, gastroesophageal reflux disease is also known as acid reflux disease. This condition is defined as the long term damage in the mucosa of a person due to the abnormal reflux present in the esophagus. The most common symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease are heartburn and regurgitation. People often think that their heartburn is associated with major heart disease, hence consulting their physician about it.
Episodes of vomiting and swallowing problems are common to people with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Vomiting usually occurs after eating wherein the foods that have just been eaten will regurgitate, making the person vomit. Because vomiting will include some acidic contents from the stomach, this will contribute to the damage to the mucus layers that line the esophagus. When a person is vomiting frequently, a condition called hypochlorhydria is likely to happen. This condition is defined as low hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach. This condition occurs because the hydrochloric acid is lost when the person vomits.
During the day, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease are more likely to happen. This is because a person is standing or is in an upright position all the time. Normally, gravity will pull down everything which includes the foods that we eat. In people with gastroesophageal reflux disease, food will go back and forth in the stomach, causing acid reflux. The acid reflux is responsible for the manifestations of symptoms such as heartburn due to the damage in the esophageal linings. However, one way of neutralizing the environment of the esophagus is to swallow saliva because it contains bicarbonate.
A common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease is heartburn. The symptom is called as such because there is a burning sensation felt near the heart. However, this symptom is not associated with the heart itself. The location of the burning sensation is either at the back of the breastbone, on the abdomen, or on the chest. Although heartburn is a very common finding, there are some who report a dry cough or having difficulties when swallowing.
The real cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease is still not rooted out but experts have found out that it may be related to some factors. They have also found out some commonalities among patients with this disease. These patients often have a relaxed lower esophageal sphincter. Normally, this sphincter should be contracted so that food will not go back from the stomach to the esophagus. Conditions such as hiatal hernia can also predispose a person to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some factors also include smoking, obesity and pregnancy.
Once you are diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease, a physician will inform you about the foods that you should avoid. These foods often cause worsening of the symptoms due to their contents. The foods to be avoided include drinks that have caffeine, citrus fruits, chocolate, alcoholic beverages, spices such as onion and garlic, spicy foods, mint flavored foods, and tomato based products.
In order to avoid suffering severe symptoms, it would be best to make necessary lifestyle changes. Changing your bad lifestyle habits would even help you to achieve a better state of well-being. Such changes include avoiding prohibited foods and cessation of smoking habits. It would also be better if meals are small but frequent.
Obese individuals who are diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease should have a diet regimen in order to lose weight. Loose fitting clothes are also advised to wear rather than tight fitting clothes. To treat symptoms related to acidity, over the counter antacids are advised. After two weeks of intake of these antacids and the symptoms have not yet subsided, a consultation to the physician would be necessary.
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