Horizon Prime Hospital - Thane

Tweak Your Lifestyle, Say GoodBye To Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Have you ever felt a strong burning sensation in your heart? Do you often experience a burning sensation in your chest or discomfort in your upper abdomen? These could be symptoms of GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), a common condition known as acid reflux disease. Heartburn caused by acid reflux can be very uncomfortable if not handled properly. Usually, heartburn is a vague term which the individual uses to describe any type of chest discomfort. But biologically speaking, heartburn is a symptom caused by stomach acid backing up into our food pipe.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a lifestyle disease caused by eating unhealthy or acidity food. In today’s day and age, with the food consumed, lifestyle diseases plague many people. One such condition is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD, which is a condition where the stomach acid regularly flows back aka refluxes into the food pipe and causes irritation and inflammation. As it is one of the most common digestive diseases, in India, around 20-30% of the population is said to suffer from this condition. The good news is that GERD can be cured! There are several levels of treatments that one can opt for. As a lifestyle-related disease, tweaking your way of life is the most important way to say goodbye to this disease.

Dr Hrushikesh Vaidya, Medical Director and Chairman, Horizon Group of Hospitals said “If you experience a burning sensation in the chest, usually after having food, or have upper abdominal pain and trouble in swallowing or feel a lump in the throat, do not ignore it, as you may have or end up with gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as acid reflux. Usually, the food we swallow reaches the stomach through the oesophagus and the muscle fibres at the lower oesophagus prevent the food from moving back up. But when the ring of muscle does not close all the way, stomach contents can spill back into the oesophagus. This condition is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux, and frequent acid reflux causes GERD.”

Dr Hrushikesh Vaidya further said “As per studies, the prevalence of GERD ranges from 7.6% to 30% in the Indian population. It is more common in the elderly, obese people, alcoholics and smokers, and also during pregnancy. People residing in urban areas are more vulnerable to the disease than those in rural areas. GERD is most familiar in western countries, affecting around 20% of the population and about 60% among them are women. The dietary factors associated with the disease include intake of spices and meat. Less than 10% of GERD patients in India have erosive esophagitis.”

Dr Ria Vaidya, CEO, Horizon Group of Hospitals said “This disease can have an adverse impact on the daily lives of affected individuals, as it can interfere with physical activity and impair their social functioning and reduce productivity at work. Traditionally, GERD was found in middle-aged and older people, the reason being that with age because the body’s muscles become relaxed and acid reflux is more common. But, over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of younger patients, especially those within the age range of 30–35 years, This lifestyle disease is also being spotted among school going children, which is cause for concern. One needs to completely avoid foods like fried and fatty foods, chocolate, alcohol, drinks with caffeine, citrus fruit and juices, tomato products etc if you have GERD. In this disease, the acidic contents of the stomach get moved back into our food pipe or oesophagus. Because of this, it causes multiple symptoms. Sometimes it can lead to ulcers into the food pipe.”

Dr Rajdeep More, India’s Leading Gastroenterologist and Consultant, Horizon Prime Hospital said “GERD is a structural defect and it becomes more prominent when a person gains weight and leads a sedentary lifestyle. Some people, who have underlying issues like rheumatoid arthritis are more at risk of developing GERD. It can also aggravate bronchial asthma and bronchitis in the long run it can cause ulcers in the oesophagus, which is painful and may even cause oesophageal cancer.”

Dr Rajdeep More further said “GERD basically is not dangerous, but the complications of GERD are dangerous because the repeated GERD or chronic acid reflux can cause aspiration, aspiration pneumonitis, severe shortness of breath and admitting into an ICU also, and a longstanding complication, is constant exposure to the stomach acid can lead to changes in the lower esophageal as well as the sphincter and lead to Barrett’s esophagus and sometimes lead to malignancy. So this is a dangerous complication because cancer is one of the known complications of GERD, those percentages are less. Apart from that, repeated reflux can also cause stricture formation in the esophageal region.”

Dr Rajdeep More advise to follow simple steps

• Eat smaller and more frequent meals.
• Set a fixed time for all your meals and stick to it.
• Stay upright after eating. Do not lie down immediately after eating.
• Don’t eat food late at night
• Avoid trigger foods. Cut down on heavy carb and oily foods from your diet
• Avoid tight clothing
• Reduce Weight
• Manage stress
• When you do lie down in bed to sleep, keep your head raised by around six inches by adding thicker or multiple pillows under your head.
• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption

Symptoms

• The feeling of food particles coming back inside the mouth or inside the food pipe,
• Burning sensation in the chest especially the middle area
• Pain or difficulty in swallowing
• Vomiting
• Chronic cough
• Sore throat
• Hoarse voice
• Pain in upper abdomen
• People can develop laryngitis, aggravating bronchial asthma and bronchitis
• Heartburn

Causes

• Hiatal Hernia: A condition where a portion of the stomach protrudes into the chest through the diaphragm, affecting the function of the LES.
• Obesity: Excess weight can increase pressure on the stomach, leading to acid reflux.
• Diet: Consuming fatty or spicy foods, citrus fruits, caffeine, alcohol, or carbonated beverages can trigger symptoms.

GERD Types
GERD can be classified based on the severity and frequency of symptoms:

• Mild GERD: Occasional episodes of heartburn and acid reflux that can be managed with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications.
• Moderate GERD: Frequent or persistent symptoms that may require prescription medications for symptom relief.
• Severe GERD: Chronic and severe symptoms that significantly impact daily life, requiring aggressive treatment and potential surgical interventions.

Diagnosis
To confirm a diagnosis of GERD, or to check for complications, a doctor might recommend:

• Upper endoscopy: An upper endoscopy uses a tiny camera on the end of a flexible tube to visually examine the upper digestive system. The camera helps provide a view of the inside of the esophagus and stomach. Test results may not show when reflux is present, but an endoscopy may find inflammation of the esophagus or other complications.
• Ambulatory acid (pH) probe test : A monitor is placed in the esophagus to identify when, and for how long, stomach acid regurgitates there.

X-ray of the upper digestive system

• Esophageal manometry : This test measures the rhythmic muscle contractions in the esophagus while swallowing. Esophageal manometry also measures the coordination and force exerted by the muscles of the esophagus. This is typically done in people who have trouble swallowing.
• Trans nasal esophagoscopy : This test is done to look for any damage in the esophagus.

Treatment

• Lifestyle Modifications: Making dietary changes, losing weight, elevating the head of the bed, and avoiding triggers can help alleviate symptoms.
• Medications: Over-the-counter antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be recommended to reduce acid production or neutralize stomach acid.
• Surgical Interventions: In severe cases where medications and lifestyle modifications are not sufficient, surgical procedures such as fundoplication or LINX device placement may be considered to strengthen the LES.

Untreated or poorly managed GERD can lead to complications such as esophageal strictures, Barrett’s esophagus, or an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Regular monitoring and appropriate management are essential to prevent complications.

The Final Takeaway
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common and chronic condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. The first step in effectively managing GERD is an accurate diagnosis and assessment of the condition. GERD often requires a multidisciplinary approach due to its complex nature. With our comprehensive approach, cutting-edge facilities, and a team of specialized experts, Horizon Group of Hospitals is revolutionizing the care provided to patients with this debilitating disease. Horizon Prime Hospital adopts a collaborative approach, involving gastroenterologists, surgeons, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals, to develop individualized treatment strategies. This multidisciplinary team works together to address the diverse aspects of GERD, ranging from lifestyle modifications to surgical interventions, ensuring comprehensive and effective care for each patient.

Horizon Group of Hospitals understands the importance of patient education and support in managing GERD. We offer comprehensive educational programs to help patients understand their condition, recognize triggers, and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Patients receive ongoing guidance on diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene to optimize their overall well-being. Support groups and counselling services are also available to provide emotional support and address any concerns or anxieties related to GERD.