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How To Reduce or Cure Your GERD Symptoms

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Gastric reflux disease, and acid reflux disease are just three of the terms which fall under the umbrella of a medical condition known as "GERD." GERD, as that term is commonly used, refers to the symptoms one experiences from the regurgitation of half-digested food from the stomach up into the esophagus. It is also used to described the mucosal damage caused by one's stomach acid. Not only can this condition be extremely painful, it can also cause severe damage to the esophagus, throat and vocal cords. However, there are several things you can do to cure your GERD symptoms.

Things You Will Need

Advance Preparation.

Step 1

The Signs And Symptoms of GERD. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. To aid in digestion, the stomach excretes certain acids that attack the food. In a health subject, the angle at which the esophagus intersects and enters the stomach creates a valve to prevent the half-digested food and stomach acid from re-entering the esophagus. The muscle tissue found at this location is known as the lower esophageal sphincter. However, GERD results when this valve fails or the muscle tissue is weakened (see the discussion on avoiding alcohol later in this article). Because the burning feeling is usually felt directly behind the ribcage, that sensation is often referred to as "heartburn." Other common symptoms of GERD are regurgitation and dysphagia (trouble swallowing). It is important, however, to not see "trouble lurking under every rock" and over-react to infrequent bouts of these symptoms. For example, if you have occasional episodes of heartburn, it is probably not something to worry about. However, frequent heartburn, inability or difficulty in swallowing food, or uncommon regurgitation of food may be signs of GERD. Less frequent GERD symptoms include nausea, chest pain, painful swallowing, and excessive salivation.

Step 2

Certain Medical Conditions Can Contribute To GERD Symptoms. Obesity, hiatus hernias, and use of certain medications (such as prednisolone) are leading causes of GERD. However, other medical conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Hpercalcemia, Visceroptosis syndrome and Scleroderma and systemic sclerosis, have been linked to GERD. There have also been inconclusive studies that links Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gallstones to acid reflux disease. As a result of these inter-related medical conditions, you may a higher than normal risk of being diagnosed with GERD.

Step 3

Positional Therapy Can Reduce Episodes Of Nighttime Reflux. Research has shown that those experiencing episodes of acid reflux during the night can reduce those episodes by sleeping on their left side. Research has also shown that raising the head of the bed at least six to eight inches can be an effective method of preventing gastric acids returning to the esophagus.

Step 4

Improved Posture Can Reduce Symptoms of GERD. It turns out that your mother was right when she repeatedly told you to "sit up straight." This advice is especially effective for those that have been diagnosed with GERD because proper posture creates a straight path between the esophagus and the stomach. With that straight path, spasms may result in the esophagus which block gas and acidity, resulting in coughing and other similar symptoms.

Step 5

GERD Medications Are Available To Treat Acid Reflux Symptoms. Because they can usually be used in conjunction with other drugs, GERD treatment drugs are some of the drugs most often prescribed in Western civilization. The most effective drug in reducing acid reflux are proton pump inhibitors because they are designed to attack acid secretion at the source: the proton pump. Additionally, GERD patients have experienced improvement from Gastric H2 receptor blockers, Gaviscon, Prokinetics, Carafate, and Mosapride citrate, as well as simply eating antacids prior to eating.

Step 6

GERD Surgeries Are Available To Treat Chronic Heartburn. Prior to the advent of effective drug treatments for GERD, the surgery known as "vegotomy" was used to remove the vagus nerve branches. This GERD surgery is now obsolete. However, a viable surgery, one that is preferred over prolonged drug use, is known as Nissen fundoplication. Basically, the sphincter is strengthened by wrapping the upper part of the stomach around the LES.

Step 7

A GERD Diet Can Is Usually Recommended For GERD Treatment. Although some researchers question whether dietary interventions can result in the lessening of the severity of GERD, it is clear that certain foods and beverages promote acid reflux. As a result, physicians often recommend that you should avoid certain foods and beverages to reduce acid reflux (sometimes referred as to a "GERD diet"). The following is a non-exhaustive list of the things to avoid:

1. Avoid coffee and alcohol as gastric acid secretion is increased by these beverages. Moreover, alcohol has been shown to weaken the lower esophageal sphincter allowing a return of acid into the esophagus and mouth.

2. Avoid foods high in fats. Not only has fat been shown to reduce the competence of the lower esophageal sphincter, it also delays the stomach from emptying.

3. Avoid smoking. Nicotine is harmful to the lower esophageal sphincter. As seen herein, this is bad. In fact, smoking even reduces the body's ability to replace damaged mucosal cells. Just put down the cigarette.

4. Avoid calcium carbonate antacids. Paradoxically, this type of antacid actually increases stomach acid.

5. Avoid large meals, which overly tax your digestive system's ability to move food into the intestines.

6. Avoid carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, peppermint, cruciferous vegetables (i.e., cauliflower, spinach, onions, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, and broccoli), and acidic foods (such as tomatoes and citrus fruits and juices). All of these have been shown to contribute to the symptoms of GERD.

Step 8

Listen To Your Body. GERD experts are quick to point out that every one diagnosed with acid reflux disease has different sensitivities to certain foods and/or beverages. As a result, it is imperative that GERD sufferers determine which foods and beverages are likely to cause an episode of heartburn and avoid them. Even if it means you have to skip that amazing (yet spicy) Thai dinner!

Following the steps above should assist your in curing (or at least reducing) your symptoms of GERD.

Tips & Warnings

* Because it has been established that lying down immediately after eating promotes gastroesophageal reflux, you should avoid eating at least two hours before going to sleep.

* There are several "home remedies" that are promoted for the treatment of GERD. Ingesting aloe vera juice, marshmallow root tea, or apple cider vinegar might (which an emphasis on the word "might") provide temporary relief, but there is no competent clinical date supporting such claims.

* This article is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. If you expect that you might have GERD (or any other medical condition or disease), seek immediate medical advice.