Acid Relfux / Heatburn / Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease – GERD Specialist doctor & surgeon in Faridabad, Delhi NCR

Dr. Pankaj Hans is the Best Acid Reflux, Heartburn, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease GERD Specialist Doctor in Faridabad, Delhi NCR. Are you struggling with the above disease? then consult our specialist today!

What is Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?

The term “gastroesophageal” refers to the stomach and esophagus (food pipe). Reflux means to flow back or return. Gastroesophageal reflux is when what’s in your stomach backs up into your esophagus.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that affects the ring of muscle between the esophagus (food pipe) and your stomach. This ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). In normal digestion, LES opens to allow food into the stomach. Then it closes to stop food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into your esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux happens when the LES is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. This lets the stomach’s contents flow up into the esophagus.

If you have it, you may get heartburn or acid indigestion. It can cause vomiting that happens over and over again. It can also cause coughing and other breathing problems.

Some people may have it because of a condition called hiatal hernia.

Predisposing Factors:

• Being overweight or obese
• Pregnancy
• Delayed emptying of the stomach (gastroparesis)
• Diseases of connective tissue such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, or lupus

Diet and lifestyle choices may make acid reflux worse if you already have it:

• Smoking
• Certain foods and drinks, including chocolate and fatty or fried foods, coffee, and alcohol
• Large meals
• Eating too soon before bed

GERD Treatment and Home Remedies:

GERD treatment aims to cut down on the amount of reflux or lessen damage to the lining of the esophagus from refluxed materials.

Medications:

• Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. 
• Medications to reduce acid production. 
• Medications that block acid production and heal the esophagus. 

Surgery and other procedures

• Avoid foods and beverages triggers: Stay away from foods that can relax the LES, including chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages. You should also avoid foods and beverages that can irritate a damaged esophageal lining if they cause symptoms, such as citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and pepper.
• Eat smaller servings: Eating smaller portions at mealtime may also help control symptoms. Also, eating meals at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime lets the acid in your stomach go down and your stomach partially empty.
• Eat slowly: Take your time at every meal.
• Chew your food thoroughly: It may help you remember to do this if you set your fork down after you take a bite. Pick it up again only when you’ve completely chewed and swallowed that bite.
• Stop smoking: Cigarette smoking weakens the LES. Stopping smoking is important to reduce GERD symptoms.
• Elevate your head: Raising the head of your bed on 6-inch blocks or sleeping on a specially designed wedge lets gravity lessen the reflux of stomach contents into your esophagus. Don’t use pillows to prop yourself up. That only puts more pressure on the stomach.
• Stay at a healthy weight: Being overweight often worsens symptoms. Many overweight people find relief when they lose weight.
• Wear loose clothes: Clothes that squeeze your waist put pressure on your belly and the lower part of your esophagus.

Surgery for Severe GERD

• GERD can usually be controlled with medication. If you need regular high doses of PPIs to control your symptoms, have damage to your esophagus even with medication, and a hiatal hernia, you may need surgery for GERD.
• Fundoplication – The surgeon wraps the top of your stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter, to tighten the muscle and prevent reflux. Fundoplication is usually done with a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedure. The wrapping of the top part of the stomach can be partial or complete. This procedure raises the pressure in lower esophagus.

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