Let’s discuss the GERD Complications and Treatment
GERD or also known as
gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disease where the sphincters present in
the stomach fails to prevent the bi-directional flow of the foods or the
liquids and thus the food from the stomach could enter into the esophagus thus
triggering different symptoms which could lead to serious complications.
Complications:
1. Nausea and vomiting are less severe
complications that arise due to GERD. Since there is reflux of acids from the
stomach region into the esophagus, hence there will be frequently occurring of
nausea and vomiting of the person suffering from the GERD.
2. Difficulty in eating is another
complication of the GERD and it often thus show in case of patients suffering
from GERD. Since there are acids parent in the stomach and the esophagus, it
will cause irritation and thus, there will come a point where eating will
become more and more difficult.
3. Respiratory issues are also not uncommon in
case person suffering from the GERD. The reflux acids will cause various chains
of reactions which will eventually influence other symptoms also and thus, the
respiratory system also could have affected where there could be difficulty in
breathing.
4. There could also be inflammation of the
esophagus if the situation continues for a longer period of time. As the acids
come in contact with the walls of the esophagus since the esophagus isn’t built
for facing high acidity, the walls will start to get inflamed and eventually,
an ulcer can take place. Hence, GERD eventually could result in ulcers and
hence, people should be very careful if they are showing the symptoms of the
GERD.
5. There could also be complication regarding
a hiatal hernia. Since it helps in regurgitation of the acid into the
esophagus, hence if there is suspicion over a hiatal hernia, the hiatal hernia
treatment should be carried out immediately thus preventing any other
further complications.
Treatment
There are various
treatments available for GERD depending upon the severity of the condition.
1. Diet could reduce the effect of GERD and
heartburn to a greater extent. High
protein diet could reduce the complications to a
great deal and hence if you are suffering from GERD, then you should
incorporate high protein in your diet recipes of which can be found in
RefluxMD.
2. There are several preventions you can take
so that the reflux stays in lesser frequencies:
a.
Overeating should be completely
prohibited.
b.
Smoking should also be prohibited.
c.
Tight clothing, especially around the
abdomen, should not be worn.
d.
If while sleeping, the head is elevated,
it could prevent GERD.
e.
There should be hours gap between eating
and sleeping.
3. Medications also help in the treatment of
GERD which includes antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors. Antacids
work well if taken at the start of the GERD while H2 blockers and proton pump
inhibitors work via the mechanism of reducing the secretion of the stomach
acids or blocking the secretion of the acids altogether. Proton pump inhibitors
especially work well against GERD.
4. If complications still persist, then the
surgical option should also be considered.