What is gastroesophageal ebb diseas...

What is gastroesophageal ebb disease?

Gastroesophageal ebb disease, or GERD, is a often met with digestive problem (say: gas-tro-ess-off-ah-gee-al ree-flux) In GERD acid from the stomach melts backward into the esophagus.

The lining of the stomach is designed to handle the robust acids that break down nutrition However, the lining of the esophagus achieves irritated when strong acid touches it.

A muscle usually maintains stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. If you have GERD this muscle does not shut up the right way, and acid from your stomach learns into your esophagus and irritates its lining (see the pictures below).

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What are the symptoms of GERD?

The greatest in quantity common symptoms of GERD are heartburn and regurgitation (say: ree-gerj-ih-tay-shun). Heartburn is a burning feeling in your chest. This burning feeling may prevail upon up toward your throat. If you have regurgitation, stomach make easys mixed with acid back up into your esophagus and cause a bad (sour) taste in your mouth

Les general symptoms of GERD include too abundant saliva in your mouth and the feeling that you always have a luculent in the back of your throat. a certain quantity of people with GERD have an ongoing cough a sore throat, or a hoarse voice.

by what means is GERD diagnosed?

chiefly likely, your doctor will be able to report that you have GERD based forward your answers to some questions and the flows of your physical exam. You may ne to have any tests if medicine does not make you be excited better or if you have other symptoms (such as chest pain or choking).

in what way is GERD treated?

Lifestyle changes may help a certain symptoms of GERD. Here are more [i]or[/i] less things you can do:

* Avoid aliments that may make your symptoms worse, of the like kind as acidic foods (citrus- and tomato-based products) alcohol, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, fatty nutriments garlic, onions, and peppermint.

* Avoid large meals and do not eat anything for 3 to 4 hours before you go on to bed.

* make no use of weight, if you need to.

* Raise the head of your bed according to 4 to 8 inches.

* If you mist stop.

Over-the-counter antacids are sometimes helpful in treating GERD In addition, your doctor may prescribe a medicine that will help lower the amount of acid in your stomach. Surgery helps a certain number of people who do not procure better with medicine and lifestyle changes.

to what extent long does GERD last?

The right treatment usually relieves the symptoms of GERD within a not many days. However, many people have GERD for a lengthy time. It is common for persons to get GERD again.

When should I call my doctor?

You should call your doctor if you have heartburn or regurgitation plus any of the following "alarm" symptoms:

* offspring in your stools

* Chest pain

* Choking

* Early fullnes after a meal

* Pain or difficulty when swallowing

* Unexplained weight loss

* Vomiting

COPYRIGHT 2003 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group