Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder that occurs when the stomach juice like acids and food contents frequently reflux back into the esophagus which is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This may happen if the lower esophageal sphincter (ring-like muscle) is dysfunctional. GERD can cause dangerous tissue damage if left untreated. It is a long-term condition that can show an increase in the severity of symptoms on and off.
When diagnosed early, symptoms of GERD can be cured with some lifestyle alteration and diet modification. Doctors may also suggest medications such as antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors to relieve your symptoms.
Medicines like omeprazole and pantoprazole are called proton pump inhibitors. They work by blocking out the production of acids in the stomach, thereby relieving the symptoms.
Antacids work by neutralizing the acids in the stomach. They are commonly recommended as they help in speedy recovery.
Also known as Histamine blockers or acid-reducing medications, drugs such as famotidine aid to decrease and control the amount of acid produced by your stomach.
When left untreated the conditions will worsen which will lead to serious GERD complications. Doctors may suggest surgery to correct the disease in selected patients. Surgery helps to avoid long-term medications in young patients and also helps with the prevention of complications like the stricture (narrowing) of the esophagus and Barrett’s esophagus (normal esophageal cells are replaced with abnormal cells)
The most common and standard surgical treatment for GERD, Fundoplication is the tightening and reinforcing of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This can be done as an open surgery or by a ‘Key hole’ (laparoscopic) surgery, which is a minimally invasive process.
There are certain endoscopic procedures for GERD correction such as
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