Esophageal reflux
Acid Reflux Disease or in medical parlance - Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) afflicts millions worldwide and dietary restrictions can form the first line of treatment and in most mild cases a change in diet can bring significant relief. Certain food items can precipitate or aggravate Acid Reflex disease - like for instance - Whole Milk can trigger GERD for people who have lactose intolerance which affects most people of almost all ethnic origins except Caucasians.
You might feel an upper abdominal pain or discomfort on consumption of a heavy meal or when bending to lift an object. Acid reflux symptoms tend to make an appearance at night, when you are lying on your back. This may result in nausea after eating or stomach bloating and burping. Pregnant women tend to suffer more from acid reflux symptoms due to the pressure from the growing fetus and the increased hormone levels.
Tackling GERD - Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
- Eat frequent small meals during the day. Avoid big meals.
- Include complex carbohydrates in each meal.
- Limit the consumption of alcohol, chocolate and caffeinated drink.
- Do not lie down on a full stomach. Instead sit in an upright position for about 45 minutes after each meal.
- Stay clear of high-fat meals as they will trigger an acid attack on the stomach.
- Smoking can weaken the lower esophageal muscles. Tobacco aggravates the condition of Acid Reflux disease.
- Maintain healthy body weight. Shed excess weight to curb acid reflux symptoms.
- Chewing gum or sucking on candy can cause swallowing of air, thereby worsening acid reflux and belching.
- Avoid tight clothing, especially around the abdomen.
- Do not drink water during mealtimes but instead drink a glass or two of water about half an hour before a meal.
Persons suffering from acid reflux disease would do well to maintain a diary of foods consumed daily. This can help identify any potential triggers so that you can eliminate them from your diet.
Esophageal stricture
Scar tissue built over time in the esophagus can lead to an esophageal stricture. The scarring can be due to acid irritation. Persons suffering from GERD might be more prone to chronic esophageal strictures. Gastric build-up in the stomacch can reflux into the esophagus. Gradually it leads to esophagus stricture due to damaged lining. It can manifest as a ring around the esophagal opening. These are usually benign. In rare cases, injuries caused by an endoscope or nasogastric tube might cause scarring leading to a stricture in the esophagus. This might also result in those who have swallowed battery acid or household cleaners.
Symptoms of esophagal stricture
- Difficulty and/or pain on swallowing
- Food regurgitation
Barium meal test or endoscopy helps detect narrowing of the esophagus. Chronic esophageal stricture is often treated with dilation. In extreme cases, surgery is resorted to.
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia or indigestion is a severe uncomfortable pain in the stomach accompanied by heartburn, burping, flatulence and vomiting. Symptoms of dyspepsia include upper abdominal fullness, bloating, nausea, belching and heartburn. Often dyspepsia is caused due to GERD. In some persons, dyspepsia symptoms are due to medications for high blood pressure and angina. Corticosteroids and NSAIDs can cause dyspepsia. Gallstones or duodenal ulcers can cause dyspepsia. Alcohol, caffeine and smoking aggravate the dyspepsia condition. Sometimes food allergies might trigger indigestion. Stress and anxiety contribute to dyspepsia symptoms. There is tenderness on palpitation of abdomen.
If there is blood in vomit or abdominal swelling, further investigations would be necessary. Tests are done to detect the presence of H. pylori bacteria. A gastrointestinal endoscopy can help detect peptic ulcer disease or other ulcerations with tissue and culture specimen. Barium studies aid in detecting any gastrointestinal disease. Treating dyspepsia is based on the causative factors. Antacids provide immediate relief from dyspepsia symptoms. They might be combined with alginates to reduce acid reflux. Lifestyle changes help in reducing discomfort and recurrence of indigestion symptoms. Cutting on fatty food and tea and coffee provides relief. Losing weight and reducing stress help tackle chronic indigestion symptoms.
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