08-Wed-Jan-2025
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Author :
Dr. Qurat ul Ain
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BUMS
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition in which stomach acid repeatedly flows back up into the tube connecting the mouth and stomach, called the oesophagus. It's often called GERD for short. This backwash is known as acid reflux, and it can irritate the lining of the oesophagus.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of GERD include:
• A burning sensation in the chest, often called heartburn. Heartburn usually happens after eating and might be worse at night or while lying down.
• Backwash of food or sour liquid in the throat.
• Upper belly or chest pain.
• Trouble swallowing, called dysphagia.
• Sensation of a lump in the throat.
Conditions that can increase the risk of GERD include:
• Obesity.
• Bulging of the top of the stomach up above the diaphragm, known as a hiatal hernia.
• Pregnancy.
• Delayed stomach emptying.
Home remedies you can try to reduce the instances of acid reflux:
Here are few ways to ease GERD symptoms
1. Avoid food triggers e.g. chocolate, alcoholic drinks, acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, coffee and other caffeine sources, spicy foods, fried or fatty foods, mint etc
2. Change you eating habits: In addition to the foods people eat, the way in which they eat may also make a difference. Following eating habits are recommended:
• Eat smaller meals
• Eat bigger meals earlier
• Eat in a relaxed environment
• Focus only on eating during meals
3. Posture and activities after a meal: A person’s posture and the activities they engage in after a meal may affect digestion.
Following are the suggestions to alleviate symptoms of GERD:
• Sit up straight
• Elevate the head when sleeping
• Avoid certain activities after eating
4. Stop smoking
5. Manage your weight
6. Take supplements e.g. Ginger, Licorice
7. Avoid putting pressure on the belly, avoid wearing tight clothing, avoid some exercises that may increase belly pressure, such as:
• stomach crunches
• sit-ups
• leg lifts
8. Practice breathing exercises
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