It’s an hour after eating dinner with your family at your favorite restaurant and you are worried. You have pain in your chest, just beneath your breastbone. You also have a bitter taste in your mouth accompanied by a burning sensation. That heartburn might be a more serious condition known as Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease, often known as GERD or Gastric Reflux.
It has been estimated that Americans spend over $2 billion on over the counter medicines for heartburn every year. Furthermore, 65% of those sufferers say that they experience symptoms both day and night. Gastric Reflux also accounts for thousands of emergency room visits every year from those unsure if their symptoms are simply heartburn or perhaps something more serious such as a heart attack.
Gastric Reflux occurs when acid and pepcin rise from the stomach to the esophagus, causing a painful burning sensation. Typical triggers include eating spicy or greasy foods, certain emotional states such as anger, fear or anxiety, certain positions and even pregnancy. Treatment options include attempts to decrease the acid through over the counter and prescription medications, lifestyle changes, weight loss(It has been noted that over weight patients are two times as likely to experience Gastric Reflux, and obese patients are three times as likely to experience Gastric Reflux.) and changes in diet and exercise.
Symptoms of heartburn that may lead to Gastric Reflux include an increase in the frequency or severity of heartburn symptoms, continuation of symptoms after modification of lifestyle, weight loss with heartburn, the need to take over the counter antacids for more than two weeks, instances when over the counter medications no longer reduce the symptoms of heartburn, changes in voice or if asthma symptoms worsen as a result of heartburn. A physician should be seen if symptoms include extreme stomach pain, vomiting blood, if the stool is black, tarry or has the presence of blood or if chest pain is accompanied by pain in the neck, jaw or arm as these symptoms may be indicative of a more serious condition.
As part of the treatment modality it is recommended that sufferers first make changes in lifestyle and diet. Even slight weight loss can dramatically affect the amount of pain one suffers. Furthermore, avoiding trigger foods can also help. As difficult as it may seem to avoid some of these items, it has been shown that avoiding coffee, carbonated beverages, fruit juices that are highly acidic, chocolate, peppermint, spicy foods, greasy or fried foods, foods high in fat and dairy products can greatly improve the quality of life of those who suffer from Gastric Reflux.
It is also important to remember that emotional factors can cause heartburn to increase. It is recommended that patients try to avoid situations that cause large emotional swings of anger, fear and anxiety. In other words, try to avoid stressful situations at work and home.
There are several types of medications that are used in the treatment of Gastric Reflux. These drugs are broken down into three categories: antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Most proton pump inhibitors require a prescription from a physician, while antacids and many H2 blockers can be obtained over the counter. Proton pump inhibitors actually decrease the amount of gastric acid that the body produces. With the exception of omeprazole (Zegerid), which is immediate release, most proton pump inhibitors are delayed release so as to act over a longer period in the body.
While Gastric Reflux is a very frustrating and painful illness, following these guidelines can help keep it at bay.