When you swallow food, it goes from your mouth to your food pipe (esophagus) and then into your stomach where the main digestion begins. After your meal has passed the esophagus, the lower muscles in your esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) closes off cutting the contact between the stomach and the food pipe. However, under certain conditions this muscle is not able to do its work properly due to few reasons- Too much acidic content in your stomach, less than the idea level of acid concentration in stomach and delay in the clearing of your food from esophagus.
When this acidic content is 'refluxed' back to your esophagus it causes a burning sensation. This reflux can send the acidic content even up to the back of your mouth. This happens to all of us occasionally and not a thing to worry about unless it happens more than once in a week. If acid reflux is happening too often then it can cause severe problem to your esophagus in the long run.
Most patients have a non-erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease where there is no visual harm to the esophagus. A few however have a erosive type of acid reflux where the lining of esophagus is damaged causing swelling, irritation and inflammation.
Most of the patients can be treated with proton pump inhibitors. However, those who do not respond to this treatment are categorized into two categories: One who need more aggressive treatment and other who have to be prescribed more detailed tests. Before prescribing the detailed tests doctors will prescribe you a acid suppressant therapy. Based on the patients response to the therapy diagnosis will be done and decision made if the patient requires more diagnostic tests.
If your GERD is not severe and not too regular then you should consider doing Lifestyle changes to prevent Acid Reflux. Other than that you should make dietary changes too for long term treatment of Acid reflux. If you are suffering from Acid Reflux then there are many natural home remedies for Acid Reflux too which will provide you immediate relief from Heartburn.
When this acidic content is 'refluxed' back to your esophagus it causes a burning sensation. This reflux can send the acidic content even up to the back of your mouth. This happens to all of us occasionally and not a thing to worry about unless it happens more than once in a week. If acid reflux is happening too often then it can cause severe problem to your esophagus in the long run.
Most patients have a non-erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease where there is no visual harm to the esophagus. A few however have a erosive type of acid reflux where the lining of esophagus is damaged causing swelling, irritation and inflammation.
Most of the patients can be treated with proton pump inhibitors. However, those who do not respond to this treatment are categorized into two categories: One who need more aggressive treatment and other who have to be prescribed more detailed tests. Before prescribing the detailed tests doctors will prescribe you a acid suppressant therapy. Based on the patients response to the therapy diagnosis will be done and decision made if the patient requires more diagnostic tests.
If your GERD is not severe and not too regular then you should consider doing Lifestyle changes to prevent Acid Reflux. Other than that you should make dietary changes too for long term treatment of Acid reflux. If you are suffering from Acid Reflux then there are many natural home remedies for Acid Reflux too which will provide you immediate relief from Heartburn.
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