Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back up, damaging the esophagus, larynx, and mouth.

This article was professionally reviewed by Dr. Le Thi Thuy Hang, University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City - Branch 3.

Define

Gastroesophageal reflux is the phenomenon of stomach acid flowing back up into the esophagus, sometimes even into the mouth, which is not the case in normal individuals.

If the reflux doesn't reach the mouth, patients may easily overlook it and only become aware of it when it leads to inflammation or ulcers in the esophagus.

Symptom

- Burning pain behind the breastbone.

- Heartburn.

- Difficulty swallowing (feeling of choking).

Reason

- Lower esophageal sphincter weakness (due to certain medications, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, chocolate, or fatty foods).

- Diaphragmatic hernia.

- Causes originating in the stomach (gastritis, stomach cancer, pyloric stenosis).

- Abdominal pressure increases suddenly when coughing, sneezing, or exerting oneself.

- Other causes (stress, unhealthy eating habits such as overeating, eating at night, eating acidic fruits on an empty stomach, eating fast food, fried food, obesity, congenital conditions causing weak lower esophageal sphincter, injuries from accidents)...

Several medical conditions can be easily mistaken for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

- Gastritis.

- Infectious esophagitis.

- Esophagitis caused by drug cysts.

- Unexplained angina.

- Functional dyspepsia.

Treatment

- Adjust your eating habits.

* You shouldn't eat too much at each meal; instead, eat several smaller meals, 4-5 meals a day.

* Avoid liquids and eat solid, dry foods.

* After eating, avoid lying down for extended periods, sitting in a forward-leaning position, or sleeping with your head elevated.

* Completely eliminate certain foods that reduce sphincter tone, such as chocolate, tobacco, coffee, fatty foods, carbonated mineral water, and carbonated drinks.

* Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and avoid swallowing air into your stomach.

- Use medication.

- Acupuncture and other methods such as thread embedding, ear acupuncture, and hydroacupuncture, combined with herbal remedies, enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

- Heat therapy such as moxibustion, infrared light therapy, or applying herbal compresses helps to warm the abdominal area.

- Acupressure massage: massaging the middle burner (of the body) combined with acupressure from a distance and in place, combined with four-phase breathing with the buttocks elevated and legs raised to stimulate digestion and reduce reflux.

- Surgery.

Prevent

- Reduces constipation.

- The belt is not fastened tightly.

- Do exercise.

- Losing weight.

- Avoid tobacco and alcoholic beverages.

- Avoid fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, and lemonade; avoid bending forward or backward after eating; avoid lying down within 3 hours of eating; sleep with your head elevated at night; and avoid wearing overly tight waist trainers.

- Avoid medications that may increase reflux: birth control pills, antispasmodics, sedatives, theophylline, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, nitrates.

America and Italy

Source link