Article Directory :: Health & Fitness Articles

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease - Symptoms To Be Aware Of

By Nick Cook

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 23Mar2012 Word count: 1165 Viewed: 37 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

What is GERD? Symptoms vary from one patient to another, but GERD is a stomach complaint where the contents of the stomach can be regurgitated / refluxed back up, entering the esophagus.

The main symptoms with GERD are acid indigestion or heartburn, acid reflux and nausea and vomiting, although there are other symptoms that can be present with GERD. Not everyone will have the same mix of symptom.

Regurgitation / Reflux

The Majority of people who have GERD experience acid reflux where the stomach's contents are refluxed or regurgitated into the esophagus. In most cases, stomach acid is only regurgitated into the lower part of the esophagus causing acid indigestion or heartburn. Some people experience stomach acid being regurgitated into the upper esophagus and it can even reach the back of the mouth. Where regular reflux of stomach acid occurs There can be some dental erosion caused by the acid.

Acid Indigestion / Heartburn

Reflux can cause heartburn with stomach acid being regurgitated or refluxed into the esophagus causing burning to the lining. This can be very painful, usually talked of as a burning sensation in the middle of the chest, behind the sternum. The sensation can also be felt in the neck and back of the throat. Some sufferers describe it as feeling like a pressure in the chest, a sharp pain and it is sometimes confused with a heart condition such as angina.

Heartburn usually happens soon after meals, simply because this is when stomach acid levels are high and because of the increased pressure in our stomachs it is also when when acid is likely to be regurgitated into the esophagus. It also happens frequently when we sleep.

Nocturnal reflux causing heartburn happens because when we are lying down it is far easier for stomach acid to be refluxed. Saliva production also slows down at night as does the swallow reflex, letting refluxed acid to stay in contact with the esophageal lining far longer. This can allow acid to be aspirated into the lungs causing irritation to the lining of the lungs.

Vomiting / Nausea

Although this is one of the least common symptoms of GERD, unexplained vomiting or nausea are both considered possible symptoms.

Inflammation of the throat

Whenever acid from the stomach refluxed into the throat, it can attack the lining, voice box and larynx leading to damage to the voice box. This can cause morning hoarseness.

Esophagitis

Inflammation of the esophageal lining caused by regurgitated acid from the stomach is known as esophagitis.

Esophageal Ulcers / Ulcerated Esophagus

Where esophagitis is particularly severe, the lining of the esophagus can develop ulcers with small areas of the lining destroyed by the burning effect of acid. In cases where the ulcers become further damaged by acid, it can develop into bleeding in the esophagus.

Esophageal Strictures

As the esophageal lining mends it can develop scar tissue resulting in strictures of the esophagus. The scar tissue isn't as flexible and can build up narrowing the esophagus making it hard to swallow. This is known as dysphagia.

Asthma like symptoms and coughs

When the esophagus is damaged it can cause a chronic cough in some GERD patients. Stomach acid can be aspirated (breathed into) the lungs causing irritation and damage to the lining of the lungs. If this is allowed to carry on it can cause chest infections, scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) and pneumonia

Barrett's Esophagus

In prolonged or severe cases of GERD the lining of the esophagus can start to change to resemble the stomach lining. Stomachs have a mucus membrane that neutralizes the effects of stomach acid. With people who have Barretts, the cells in the lower esophagus mutate to resemble the cells of the stomach wall in response to the repeated exposure to acid. As cells change they can be left susceptible to developing cancer and there is an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus in people with Barrett's Esophagus.

Nearly all GERD cases can be treated effectively with lifestyle changes and medication. if this fails to be effective there are various surgical procedures that can be tried.

EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here

More articles by Nick Cook

Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:

Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details