Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment – GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disorder in which the gastric content, which is acid and the enzyme flows back (reflux) repeatedly into the esophagus, which causes irritation of the esophagus and can cause symptoms that interfere.
When a person stands or sits down, gravity helps to prevent the contents of the stomach from flowing back towards the esophagus, explaining why the reflux can deteriorate when someone is lying down.
Reflux may occur immediately after a meal, when the amount and the acidity of the contents in the stomach is higher and the valve muscle (sphincter) of the stomach does not work properly.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), more than 60 million Americans experience acid reflux at least once a month. Over 15 million Americans experience it every day. Most people can manage the discomfort of symptoms of GERD with lifestyle changes and drugs that are sold freely.
But some people with GERD may need stronger medications or surgery to relieve symptoms.
If left unchecked, this disease can cause inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), narrowing of the esophagus that causes food cannot enter (esophageal strictures), to esophageal cancer, so the treatment from the beginning is an important thing.
The esophageal and stomach are separated by a structure that acts as a valve or door called the lower sphincter of the esophagus.
The return of gastric contents can occur through 3 mechanisms i.e. Weakening sphincter’s ability to close, stomach contents too much so before the sphincter closes the contents of the stomach is back to the top, as well as increased pressure in the abdominal cavity.
Unlike the stomach, the esophagus does not have a wall fluid coating that protects against irritation, so the wall of the esophagus is much much more susceptible to inflammation than the stomach wall.
GERD Symptoms
Acid reflux can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest, which can spread towards your neck. This feeling is often known as heartburn.
If you experience acid reflux, you may feel a sour or bitter taste at the back of your mouth. It may also cause you to spew food or liquid from your stomach into your mouth.
In some cases, GERD may cause difficulty in swallowing. Sometimes it can cause respiratory problems, such as chronic cough or asthma.
Learn more about GERD Symptoms and Causes
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment
Here is the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment:
Lifestyle modification
It is one part of the GERD treatment, but not a primary treatment. This effort aims to reduce the frequency of reflux and prevent relapse. Things to do with lifestyle modification:
- Avoid foods that increase gastric acidity
- Avoid foods that lower the sphincter of esophageal pressure.
- Avoid foods that affect the peristalsis (the movement of the gastrointestinal tract), such as cabbage and broccoli
- Avoid foods that slow down gastric emptying, such as fatty foods
- Avoid large meals, chew the food well and gently
- Avoid smo**king
- Avoid lying down after eating
- Elevate the head of the bed
- Lose weight if overweight.
Read also: How to cure acid reflux?
Early Medical Treatment
Early treatment in patients as well as in patients who do not want to do endoscopic action is given the drug to reduce gastric acid production for 2 weeks, if it can improve it it can be continued for up to 2 months, even if the degree of severe illness can be up to 4 months of taking the drug.
Drug therapy
It starts with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), which is a group of drugs that suppress the secretion (production) of strong acids with a long therapy period.
Once successful, it can be continued with maintenance therapy using lower doses such as H2 receptor antagonists, prokinetic, or even antacid.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture enhances the function of the esophagus in patients with gastroesofageal reflux disease, even in cases where the drug is ineffective.
Researchers found effective acupuncture to relieve gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) disease. Patients who were unresponsive to drug therapy experienced a significant increase after receiving acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), that acupuncture greatly improves the motility of the esophagus in GERD patients who are difficult to cure.
Acupuncture manages to increase the pressure and function of the LES, thereby increasing the resistance to acid reflux. LES are valves that prevent gastric acid flow back into the esophagus.
Acupuncture enhances esophageal peristaltic pressure and integrity, an important function for the cleansing of gastric acid.
Surgery
This can be done if there is no improvement after receiving drug therapy.
Read also: How To Cure GERD Permanently
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