Gastroesophageal reflux disease Sensitive Gut (Harvard Special Health Reports) In consultation with Lawrence S. Friedman, M. D. Stanford, CT In this article, you are informed about a disease that is occurring more often in our society. It is commonly referred to as “heartburn” but is more appropriately named acid reflux disease or gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Most people suffer from this disease, but think nothing of it. Perhaps they have felt it after a big meal, lying down after eating, during pregnancy, or even when bending over. Most people feel that GERD occurs after eating spicy foods, when in fact the major cause of GERD is fatty foods and the quantity of foods eaten. The main causes of GERD occur because your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), or the sphincter that closes off the esophagus to the stomach becomes weakened or stops functioning correctly.
Scientist are finding that different nutrition habits affect the workings of the LES. Things like dietary supplements, drugs, or anything containing caffeine will actually cause the malfunction of the LES. A common condition that is associated with GERD and LES problems is having a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia is when you have a larger than normal opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus passes through. Since this opening is larger, the stomach begins to enter this opening.
The Term Paper on Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
It is one of the most common diseases, greatly affecting health care and contributing to the expenditure in the United States of nearly 12 billion dollars per year for antacid medications. GERD affects nearly equal proportions of men and women, but a male predominance occurs in esophagitis and Barrett’s esophagus. Increasing age is an important factor in the prevalence of GERD complications, ...
When you eat, the stomach and esophagus do not join as they were properly intended and cause malfunctioning of the LES and in some cases, food to remain above the LES allowing it to easily travel back up the esophagus. There are many different ways to treat GERD. You have many different options ranging from drug store remedies, drug prescriptions, and surgery. Some of the easiest things you can do involve a simple dietary and eating habits. o If certain foods or drinks tend to increase or cause GERD, avoid them. o Eat less fried or fatty foods.
o Eat smaller meals. Instead of eating one or two large meals a day, eat 3, 4, or 5 smaller meals instead. o Relax when you eat. Since stress can cause GERD, take you time and eat slowly. o Relax between meals. This will cut down on stress and GERD.
o Remain in an upright position after eating for at least 3 hours. o Avoid bedtime snacks. No eating within 3 hours of bed. o Lose weight. Excess weight increases pressure on the stomach and helps push acid in to the esophagus. o Loosen up your clothes.
Tight clothes can put pressure on your stomach too. o Stop smoking. o Chew gum to increase saliva production which soothe the esophagus and washes acid back into the stomach. o Raise your head at night. Elevate the back part of the bed 6 inches, or buy a body wedge at any medical store. Do not elevate just the head with pillows.
This causes the stomach to become compressed. o Exercise smartly. Do not exercise within 2 hours of having a meal.
