What is GERD? If you have acid reflux, a sour or bitter taste in your mouth may come from the stomach. It may also cause you to spit or regurgitate excess food or liquid from the stomach into your esophagus. In extreme cases, GERD may cause difficulty swallowing as well. It can also occasionally cause breathing difficulties, such as a chronic cold or lung disease.
Although GERD does not mean that you will die, it is important to note that it can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms are most apparent when food is regurgitated from the mouth, but they can also occur while you are sleeping. Although rare, tissue damage can occur in the lining of the esophagus, which allows GERD to progress into a more serious condition called Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is caused by damaged cells in the esophagus, and it is very common.
What is GERD? Antibiotics and other drugs that attack stomach acid are usually the first treatment option for GERD. If these drugs are ineffective or have unpleasant side effects, other treatment options are available. Some of the most common are antacids and H2 blockers. Unfortunately, most people experience only mild or moderate symptoms of GERD, and these medicines cannot prevent severe bouts of gerd.
Antibiotics are used primarily to treat and prevent her from becoming worse. Taking them for too long or taking them in combination with other medications can result in serious side effects, including stomach ulcers, bleeding, or worse. If you experience any of these symptoms after taking antibiotics, call your doctor immediately. In some people, stomach tissue damage also occurs as a result of GERD; stomach damage can occur if your GERD is triggered by eating too much fatty or spicy food.
There are several different types of over-the-counter antacids, and they work in a similar way. The difference is that antacids neutralize the acid in your stomach to allow it to properly digest your food. Most of them contain calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, or pepsin. Calcium carbonate is the most commonly used; however, it is also the strongest, which is why it is the most effective at preventing GERD complications.
There are also prescription medications available for people with GERD. These medications are given to relieve symptoms, but cannot prevent GERD in most people. In order to prevent the occurrence of GERD, a change in diet must be made. Eating smaller portions, drinking more water, and avoiding spicy or fatty foods are just a few ways to reduce the possibility of having a GERD-causing digestive disorder.
Although antacids can temporarily relieve symptoms of GERD, more serious complications may develop. Two specific types of pro-motility drugs are available to treat GERD. These drugs are Chinolid and Pepcid. Chinolid is used to temporarily relieve symptoms such as heartburn. Pepcid is used to help prevent and reduce complications from GERD, including ulcers and esophagitis.
The most serious effect of GERD is hiatal hernia, a condition that causes the passage of the stomach and the diaphragm up into the chest cavity. This condition is known to be the leading cause of death from gastroesophageal reflux disease. People with GERD are at high risk for developing hiatal hernia. If you have symptoms of GERD, or are at risk for developing symptoms of GERD, talk to your doctor about your GERD treatment options.
Esophagitis affects the membranes that protect the esophagus. If left untreated, esophagitis can cause complications such as bleeding and ulcers. Symptoms of esophagitis include dry coughing, swollen lymph glands in the neck, painful swallowing, and chest pain. If you suspect that you have GERD or think that you might have GERD, contact your doctor immediately.
Another serious complication of GERD is Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus refers to a condition that occurs when the narrow tube that connects the stomach and the esophagus becomes inflamed. Barrett’s esophagus develops when the valve between the stomach and esophagus opens in the wrong way, allowing stomach acid to reflux back into the esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus can weaken over time, causing it to become difficult to swallow, causing chest pain, and, in severe cases, leading to death. If you believe you may have GERD or suspect that you may have GERD, see your doctor immediately.
It is important to understand what GERD is and what the symptoms of GERD are so that you can make an effective treatment plan. Recognizing GERD is the first step toward prevention. Your doctor will likely want to perform a series of tests to determine if you have GERD. These tests include an endoscopy with endoscope, sigmoidoscopy with laser endoscopy, and x-ray. Once you have been diagnosed with GERD, the treatment options available will depend on which type of GERD you have, as well as your overall health and age.