Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GERD) Symptoms

People with gastroesophageal disease frequently experience acid reflux, a condition in which stomach acid leaks back into the esophagus, resulting in symptoms like chest discomfort or squeezing pain, heartburn, trouble breathing, etc., caused due to the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter. One technique to strengthen the LES and stop acid reflux is fundoplication.

Symptoms of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease:

Burning sensation in the heart that worsens after a meal or during the night
Difficulty in breathing, due to irritation of the airway
Sour or unpleasant taste in the mouth (due to small food or liquid contents reflux)
Swallowing problems, & a feeling of food stuck in the throat
Hoarseness or voice-related issues (acid reflux irritates the vocal cords)
Pain or discomfort in the chest (often mistaken for a heart attack)
Severe cough, especially at night or after a meal
Fullness in the stomach or bloating
Open sores, ulcers, or bleeding in severe GERD cases
Squeezing pain in the chest (often mistaken for heart pain)
Bad breath, Sleep disturbances
Excessive salivation
Nausea, vomiting.

Note: If you experience any of the above symptoms for nearly 2 weeks & heartburn is persistent despite the OTC medications, consult with our gastroenterology experts today.

Causes of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease:

Excess weight, usually around the abdomen, increases pressure on the stomach, thereby weakening the LES (Lower esophageal sphincter)
High levels of progesterone during pregnancy can relax the lower esophageal sphincter muscles, leading to acid reflux.
Hiatal hernia (abdominal muscles are pushed through the diaphragm towards the chest cavity) can reduce the LES pressure, leading to acid reflux.
In certain conditions, such as gastroparesis, where the food stays for a long time in the stomach without passing down to the intestine due to delayed gastric emptying, there is increased pressure within the stomach, resulting in reflux of acidic contents back to the esophagus.
Overuse of certain medications such as antibiotics, pain-relieving medications, iron, or potassium supplements & others can be contributing factors to acid reflux.
Above all, lifestyle factors such as smoking habits and eating large portions of meals at night, consuming spicy, fatty, rich, or processed foods, and drinking coffee very often are some of the key contributing factors for GERD.

Treatment of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease:

Lifestyle modifications include

Avoiding processed, spicy foods can help improve symptoms such as heartburn.
Eating at least 3 hours before you go to bed can decrease the chances of reflux.
Avoid certain social habits, such as smoking.
Limit the intake, or it’s better to avoid caffeine for a few weeks
Take proper steps to lose weight if you are obese.
Sleep with an elevated head to reduce the likelihood of acid reflux.

Medications: Certain antacids and proton pump inhibitors are prescribed to either lower or neutralize the stomach acid to improve the symptoms of GERD.

Surgery: Fundoplication

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Frequently Asked Questions About GERD

GERD is a common gastrointestinal condition that can be completely treated when diagnosed early through a combination of lifestyle changes, medical therapy, and employing surgical therapy in chronic cases.

While both GERD and acid reflux are closely related, they are not regarded as the same condition. Ideally, acid reflux is characterized by occasional heartburn that is common in healthy individuals after heavy meals. GERD is a severe form of acid reflux that occurs frequently (twice a week or more often), resulting in serious health conditions such as ulcers, inflammation, or tumors in the esophagus.

While mild GERD or occasional heartburn symptoms are not dangerous, they can turn into a severe condition if left untreated. Chronic acid reflux can damage the esophageal lining, resulting in inflammation or ulcers, and further repeated exposure to acid can develop esophageal cancers.

Certain factors, including processed foods, spicy and fat-rich foods, large or heavy meals, and consuming drinks such as alcohol or caffeine, are contributing factors that worsen GERD symptoms. Lying down immediately after having meals can further increase the risk of GERD. Therefore, avoiding these foods and taking measures such as maintaining a healthy weight, keeping the head raised using pillows, and staying away from social habits such as smoking can help in preventing GERD.

Medical & symptomatic history is an integral part of GERD as it aids in provisional diagnosis by understanding the frequency of symptoms & cause factors. Certain tests, such as upper GI endoscopy, can help in visualizing the abnormalities or erosions in the esophagus & stomach, aiding in confirmatory diagnosis. Furthermore, esophageal pH monitoring is used to measure the acidic levels to determine episodes and the severity of acid reflux.

Foods rich in fiber & low in fat, such as green leafy vegetables or low-fat yogurt, must be included in your diet, along with non-citrus foods such as apples, bananas, & watermelons, which are generally recommended since citrus foods can worsen the GERD symptoms.

Certain measures, such as sitting or standing up instead of lying down, sipping small amounts of water, & taking an antacid if possible, can help during an acid reflux attack.