Acid Reflux

GERD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GERD also know as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or sometimes more simply as acid reflux, is a condition in which the esophagus opens or fails to close, allowing contents of the stomach, including acids to rise upwards into the esophagus. It’s a serious and more common form of Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), a chronic aliment in millions of individuals and can be especially common in young children.

GERD and GER often are accompanied by a variety of uncomfortable symptoms such as:

1. Heartburn
2. Trouble sleeping
3. Chronic chest pain
4. Difficulty swallowing

People that are diagnosed with GERD often deal with symptoms or chronic outbreaks throughout the course of their lives. While recent new discoveries in drug treatments has shown success, modifications your daily routine which include diet and exercise; will provide a more readily available means of managing GERD symptoms.

The symptoms of GERD

The most common symptom of the backflow caused by GERD is a pain or pressure, for example heartburn, behind the breastbone or the mid-abdomen region. There is a wide variety of debilitating symptoms also attributed to GERD which can include:

1. Chronic earache
2. Hoarse of rasping voice
3. Frequent nausea
4. Inflammation of some sinus tissues
5. Pain from the symptoms listed above may continue off and on for days or weeks depending on the severity of the attack.

Making the diagnosis

Medical professionals are able to diagnose GERD by obtaining answers to certain questions about diet and the patient’s discomfort. They will then evaluate the individual’s lifestyle patterns that may foster susceptibility for GERD.

Excess body weight may weaken the valve at the top of the stomach, allowing acid to escape into the esophagus. This escape is known as gastroesophageal reflux. While GERD may occur regardless of someone’s age, gender, or body mass, the disease tends to be more severe in the obese.