Some patients with prolonged, uncontrolled GERD may develop Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that results in changes to the esophageal lining which increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.īefore treating GERD, you must first be diagnosed. A narrowing (stricture) of the throat may occur from chronic scarring, and an esophageal ulcer and bleeding may develop from repeated exposure to stomach acid. Untreated GERD can sometimes result in severe damage to the esophagus. GERD is a chronic disease, and so treatment usually needs to be maintained on a long-term basis, even after symptoms are under control.
Consult a health care professional if you notice a change in your current symptoms or experience any of the following: Though GERD symptoms can be uncomfortable, alarm symptoms are not typical of GERD and can signal additional, more severe health concerns. If you start to experience excessive or daily acid reflux, especially coupled with a sore throat and a cough that lingers, you should ask your doctor about GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Achieve and maintain an ideal body weightĮveryone has likely experienced common symptoms such as acid reflux, pains in the chest, a cough or a sore throat, however, if any of these issues become chronic, they could be symptoms of GERD.Raise the head of the bed or elevate the upper body with a foam wedge.Have nothing to eat and little or nothing to drink for 3 to 4 hours before going to bed.Eat small, frequent meals, rather than large meals.Avoid spicy and acid-containing foods that can irritate the esophageal lining.
GERD is a common disorder that has a significant impact on the community. This reverse flow (reflux) of food, acids and the digestive enzyme pepsin, can cause damage to the esophageal lining and resulting heartburn. When the LES fails to close correctly, the stomach contents-which are acidic and contain digestive secretions-can flow back into the esophagus. The valve, or lower esophageal sphincter (LES), opens during swallowing to allow food to enter the stomach and then closes to prevent food and stomach secretions from moving backward into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the result of a disordered valve mechanism between the esophagus (swallowing tube) and the stomach. What is Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?