Can prolonged gastric acid reflux damage the food pipe?

Overview

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus.

Many people experience acid reflux from time to time. However, when acid reflux happens repeatedly over time, it can cause GERD.

Most people are able to manage the discomfort of GERD with lifestyle changes and medications. And though it's uncommon, some may need surgery to ease symptoms.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

• A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night or while lying down
• Backwash (regurgitation) of food or sour liquid
• Upper abdominal or chest pain
• Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
• Sensation of a lump in your throat

If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience:

• An ongoing cough
• Inflammation of the vocal cords (laryngitis)
• New or worsening asthma

Causes

GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux or reflux of nonacidic content from the stomach.

When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach. Then the sphincter closes again.

If the sphincter does not relax as it should or it weakens, stomach acid can flow back into your esophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.

Risk Factor

Conditions that can increase your risk of GERD include:

• Obesity
• Bulging of the top of the stomach up above the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
• Pregnancy
• Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma
• Delayed stomach emptying

Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include:

• Smoking
• Eating large meals or eating late at night
• Eating certain foods (triggers) such as fatty or fried foods
• Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee
• Taking certain medications, such as aspirin

Source

​​The increasing risk of acid reflux​

In cases like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the acid from the stomach can enter the esophagus (food pipe). The symptoms of stomach acid reflux, which include a burning feeling, vomiting, and epigastric pain, can gradually erode the lining of the esophagus. The uncomfortable feelings may linger for a short while or for several hours. The presence of a persistent cough and hoarseness are extraesophageal signs.

Here’s what the expert says​

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), according to Dr. Amit Maydeo, Chairman of the Institute of Gastro Sciences at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre in Girgaon, Mumbai, "allows food to move from the esophagus to the stomach. In GERD, the LES partially opens, enabling food to pass back into the esophagus and leading to esophageal erosions and inflammation. A sour taste is left in the mouth as a result of food being regurgitated into the throat. Physiologic reflux is asymptomatic and transient. In addition to causing uncomfortable symptoms, pathologic reflux can also result in consequences. GERD can have a negative effect on quality of life and increase the high cost of treatment.

In India, the prevalence of GERD varies from 7.6-30%. Such symptoms are present in every fourth case. Smoking, drinking alcohol, being overweight, and dietary variables are some of the usual risk factors.

Causes of GERD​

Acid reflux is not just a result of bad eating habits. Similar symptoms can also be brought on by chronic sleep difficulties, gallstones, and heart issues. Long-term reflux can cause problems including strictures and Barrett's esophagus (a precancerous stage); different disorders require different treatments. Similar symptoms can also be influenced by psychosocial variables, such as stress and worry. The food pipe's damage can be kept to a minimum. A balanced diet, managing risk factors, exercising portion control, choosing the best drugs, and using a personalized approach to endoscopic anti-reflux therapy can all help manage GERD.

​​Lifestyle changes to prevent acid reflux​

First, changing your way of life is advised. This includes sleeping on the left side and raising the head of the bed by 15 to 20 cm. Meals should be taken more frequently and in smaller portions. Avoid foods and drinks that can increase GERD symptoms, including as carbonated beverages, processed foods, citrus fruits, fatty foods, and spicy foods. After dinner, it is advised to wait at least two hours before retiring to bed.

Diagnosis and treatment​

“Diagnosis is made on clinical symptoms. An upper GI endoscopy helps differentiate GERD and erosive esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease. Endoscopy is routinely done as a daycare procedure under sedation. The 24-h-pH impedance is used to study reflux episodes (acidic and non-acidic) over 24 hours. Some of the tests are necessary to initiate an appropriate therapy. A biopsy is usually taken during endoscopy to check for Helicobacter Pylori infection. This bacterium is widely present in the stomach, but peptic ulcers and troublesome symptoms need anti-H. Pylori therapy,” says Dr. Maydeo.

The takeaway​

A gastroenterologist can advise better to best manage the condition. Patients with GERD have used over-the-counter medications for years. But these medications can contribute to vitamin deficiencies, osteoporosis, and, eventually, fractures. The cause of GERD symptoms needs to be identified.

Wanna Read more article?https://healthstipshindi.blogspot.com/2023/07/cruncheese-korean-hot-dog-reviews.html