Acid Reflux – Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Acid Reflux Disease or Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux in the esophagus. Heartburn and acid indigestion are other commonly used terms for acid reflux.

Acid reflux most often strikes adults but this disease may also affect children and infants. The symptoms of acid reflux are normally triggered by eating certain types of foods or going to sleep too soon after eating a heavy meal. Most people suffer from mild cases of heartburn or acid reflux at one time or another. However, frequent or chronic acid reflux symptoms can lead to the more serious condition called GERD.

Long-term GERD if left untreated causes injury of the esophagus. These injuries may include:

• Reflux esophagitis
• Esophageal strictures
• Barrett’s esophagus
• Esophageal adenocarcinoma—a rare form of cancer

Typical symptoms of acid reflux or GERD include:

• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)

Less-common symptoms include:

• Pain while swallowing (odynophagia)
• An excessive amount of saliva
• Nausea[3]
• Chest pain (NOTE: Never ignore chest pain as this may be caused by other more serious conditions related to your heart)

While rare but there are other symptoms that have been reported by people suffering from acid reflux or GERD. These include:

• Chronic cough
• Laryngitis (hoarseness, throat clearing)
• Asthma
• Erosion of dental enamel
• Dentine hypersensitivity
• Sinusitis and damaged teeth

Even if you suffer from frequent episodes of heartburn does not mean your condition has worsened to GERD. Typically, heartburn that occurs several times a week does put you a higher risk of developing GERD. You should seek medical advice as soon as possible

The usual cause of GERD is the increase in acidity or gastric acid production in your body due to obesity, pregnancy, or even tight-fitting clothes. Yeast infections are also thought to be one of the causes of GERD-like symptoms.

An irony of acid reflux disease is that not enough stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) may trigger GERD-like symptoms. The valve that empties the stomach into the intestines is triggered by acidity. If there is not enough acid, this valve does not open, and the stomach contents are sucked up into the esophagus. However, there is still enough acidity to irritate the esophagus.

There are several acid reflux treatment options available, which include lifestyle modifications, diet changes, medications, and surgery.

Check out Reflux Remedy Report: Fast, Safe & Natural Home Remedy Information.

Related posts:

1. Acid Reflux – Don’t Let it Turn Into “Esophagus Rot”
2. Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux and Heartburn
3. What to Eat if You Have Frequent Heartburn or Acid Reflux
4. The Symptoms of GERD/Acid Reflux
5. Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux and Heartburn