What is GERD and the ways to treat it
GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In general terms, it is also referred to as heart burn experienced by most people after consuming acidic food products. GERD is a condition in which the acids in the stomach back up into the esophagus. This action is called acid reflux. It can damage the lining of the esophagus and cause serious problems. It should be noted that only a minority of patients show signs of inflammation.
Treatments:
There are several ways of treating it. Changes in habit can help treat GERD effectively. Most people experience it at night. They should get an acid test first to confirm the occurrence. Then, they should try to elevate the upper body at night because gravity opposes the effects in that case. Moreover, people should lie on their left side when sleeping at night to minimize the gravity imbalance.
Chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, fatty foods and all types of caffeinated drinks should be avoided in order to get rid of GERD. These food items basically promote acid reflux. Also, smoking should be completely avoided to minimize heart burn at night.
Some people think that chewing a gum after meals prevents the symptoms of GERD. It is true to a certain extent. Actually, once you swallow the saliva created by the chewing action, it starts neutralizing the acids in the stomach. This avoids a reflux. The effects of chewing gum on the treatment have not been proved but the method is safe for a try.
Antacids can be taken to get rid of the symptoms. They neutralize the acids in the stomach and prevent a reflux from occurring. The issue with antacids is that they are effective for a short period of time only. To increase their effectiveness, consume them an hour after the meal or when you start experiencing the symptoms. When the effects of the antacid wear-off, take another dose around two hours after the meal to accelerate the neutralization process.
Histamine is a chemical in the body that accelerates the activity of acids after meals. To curtail this action, Histamine antagonists or H2 antagonists are taken 30 minutes before consuming the actual meal. In this way, acid stimulation is avoided to a great extent and you are able to dismiss GERD-like symptoms throughout the day.
An alternative to Histamine antagonists are proton pump inhibitors that curtail the activities of the acid producing cells. This shuts off acid production for a longer period of time. Moreover, the esophagus is given time to heal. The acids are not able to reach the esophagus and this prevents and treats the inflammation.