Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a stomach condition that occurs when the acid of the stomach rapidly flows back into the tube that connects the mouth and stomach (esophagus). This kind of backwash (acid reflux) may be a source of irritation in the lining of our esophagus, says the best gastroenterologist attached with Newtown Clinic in Kolkata. The occurrence of acid reflux depends on the severity of one’s GERD. If yours is mild, then you will experience acid reflux at least twice a week, and if yours is moderate or severe, then it may occur once a week. Doctors usually advise some lifestyle changes and mild medication to treat the discomfort of GERD. If your GERD becomes severe and causes unbearable discomfort, the doctor may advise stronger medication and may even tell you to go for surgery to ease your symptoms.

Symptoms:

  • After eating, you may feel a burning sensation in your chest area that is called heartburn which may get worse during night time
  • You may experience severe pain in the chest
  • Regurgitation of food may make you feel uncomfortable
  • Regurgitation of sour liquid also can be a symptom
  • You may experience difficulty swallowing food items
  • You may also feel a sensation in your throat as if there is a lump

Other than these, you may also have other symptoms if you have nighttime acid reflux. Those include:

  • Disrupted sleep
  • Laryngitis
  • Chronic cough
  • Asthma (you may observe new asthma, or it may be worse if you already have asthma)

If you observe any of these symptoms, you must not ignore them and should visit Newtown Clinic as soon as possible and make an appointment with a gastroenterologist in Kolkata.

Risk factors:

There are a few conditions that increase the risk of having GERD. Those are as follows:

  • Obesity
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Scleroderma, a disorder of connective tissue
  • Late in stomach emptying
  • Certain medications, such as aspirin
  • Eating late at night
  • Intaking larger meal than one may require
  • Fatty and fried food items may trigger your GERD or acid reflux
  • Smoking
  • Drinking (alcohol and coffee)

Diagnosis:

The best gastroenterologist in Kolkata will ask you about your signs and symptoms. Later he/ she might advise you to go for some physical examinations based on your symptoms to detect if you have GERD.

The physical examinations may include:

  • Upper endoscopy
  • Ambulatory acid (pH) probe test
  • Esophageal manometry
  • X-ray of the upper digestive system

Treatment:

Some essential changes in your daily diet and lifestyle, along with some over-the-counter medication, may help you get rid of your mild gastroesophageal reflux disease, says a gastroenterologist based in Kolkata. But if your condition of GERD is severe, your doctor may strengthen the dosage of your medication and also may change your medicines. In extreme cases, he/she may ask you to go for surgical treatment so that you get rid of your GERD.