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GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition that is focused on the digestive systems of people. It is a disease that is commonly incurred by the stomach’s reflux that reaches the esophagus. The disease is quite common among adults and not life threatening. One can tell if one has gastroesophageal reflux disease because of symptoms that include heartburn, difficulty swallowing and some pain in the chest area. Other common symptoms of GERD are hoarseness in the throat along with coughing, sensation of burning pain in the chest, ear ache, sinusitis and nausea. Although, the symptoms stated above are signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease, one or two of them together does not necessarily mean that you have GERD. There are other sicknesses and diseases that have these symptoms.

Causes of GERD

The main cause of GERD is the incompetence of the anti-reflux barrier in our body. Although the lower esophageal sphincter also contributes to GERD, the inability of the anti reflux barrier is the main cause. Obesity has also been linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease as well as hypercalcemia where there is an increase of gastrin production.

GERD is also caused by several factors which include the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to do its work properly, irregular expulsion of the gastric acids from the esophagus a hiatal hernia and the intermittent relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Individuals who think they have Gastroesophageal reflux disease should go visit a medical practitioner for the proper diagnosis of the disease. An internist who specializes in our digestive system’s diseases would do very well. Getting a medical opinion can be helpful for those who suffer chronic GERD and its myriad of symptoms which can be very uncomfortable.

There are several treatments for GERD and these are classified as non drug treatments, drug treatments and surgery. As their names suggest, the non drug treatments do not encompass using chemical based drugs and other medicines that are based in science. The treatment can be as simple as elevating the head during sleep or adjusting one’s posture. Drug treatments for GERD are readily available but you would need the prescription of the drug from a verified medical practitioner. Surgery as a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease is only for cases where the other treatments do not work or as a replacement of long term drug use. GERD is actually not a life threatening disease therefore surgery is not a rushed decision.