Have a Nice Day
Gastro-oesophageal reflux: The mis-understood disease
Dr Rubaiul Murshed
All health information to keep you up to date
After consuming huge, oily meal or a full packet of spicy 'chanachur' you often experience a burning pain in your chest and sometimes in the throat. We usually call this 'heartburn'. According to most doctors, thousands of Bangladeshis specially living in the cities suffer from Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), or what is known as 'heartburn'. Some often misdiagnose GERD as peptic ulcer or simple acid related situation rather than disorder; some also term it as a 'gas problem' in our villages. For the majority, it is a short-term trouble, activated by something like highly spiced food or even fizzy drinks in empty stomach. For some, reflux causes hours of extreme pain every day and makes sleep more or less difficult. The commonest symptoms of reflux are heartburn and regurgitation. Regurgitation means back-flow of acid or bitter tasting fluid into mouth. The stomach naturally produces acid, which helps to sterilise and digest the food we eat. Reflux occurs when acid from the stomach flows back up into the oesophagus. Normally a muscle at the base of the oesophagus shuts like a gate once food has moved to the stomach. For people with reflux, the muscle remains open, allowing acid to escape and make painful contact with the lining of the oesophagus. The main types of acid related disorders are reflux and peptic ulcer. Many people live with reflux for ages. One can get rid of this disease if s/he wishes. First of all – it is important to change lifestyle. Lifestyle change means modifying eating habits (which includes regular timing) and diet, taking a variety of drugs and changing sleeping patterns. It seems that lying down flat is the worst position for reflux sufferers. The most frequently used drugs for reflux disease is antacid tablets and mixtures, which reduce the damaging effects of stomach acid. In the western world 'Gaviscone' is mostly used instead of antacids. This drug is a combination of antacids and 'algicone' and 'gastrocote', which form a protective coating over the lining of the lower oesophagus and upper part of the stomach. In severe cases where heartburn is not easily relieved, ranitidine, omperazole, lansoprazole type of drugs are drug of choice to reduce acid production in the stomach. Other drugs like cisapride, metaclopramide or sucralfate are also used. Some also uses 'Helicobacter treatment strategy' to treat reflux. Here are some simple steps to help avoid heartburn: * Avoid food with a high acid content, like tomato sauce. * Three C -- Cigarettes, Coffee and Chocolates are contributors to reflux. * Being overweight increases the chances of heartburn. * Don't eat at least three hours before going to bed. * Use pillows to elevate your head during sleep. * Avoid tight clothing. It puts extra pressure on your abdomen, increasing heartburn symptoms. * Try to avoid stress, which increases sensitivity to stomach acid. * Many drugs like aspirin, Ibuprofen, naproxen irritates the stomach lining. So, do not forget to ask your doctor about side effects of a prescribed drug.
| 
