How to Determine If You Have GERD, Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease

Digestion requires many organic chemicals, including some, which are acidic in nature. The process happens inside the alimentary canal including the stomach. That organ is equipped to handle these chemicals. Due to disturbance in the process of digestion, partially digested food often comes back in the esophagus through a sphincter. Being acidic in nature it causes heartburn and commonly goes by that name. Medically, however, sometimes this condition is referred to as gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD for short. When we hear someone complain of acidity and pop an anti acid pill, we are witnessing the mildest form of GERD, handled in the simplest manner.

Heartburn and GERD are however not synonymous. Heartburn, when it occurs at least twice a week and continues for at least a month, it's considered to have escalated to GERD. If left untreated, GERD can become serious, but as many treatment options are available and treatment is easy, GERD, on the whole is not an extremely critical disease. However, it is more common that most of us think. GERD is in most cases also chronic.

GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter malfunctions. This is the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus. Whether GERD would be chronic or occur over a short period is determined by whether the change in this sphincter is permanent or temporary. GERD is most drawn out in nature when the sufferer is afflicted by a medical condition called Hiatal Hernia; in this the stomach protrudes into the diaphragm allowing for smooth movement of acid from the stomach to the esophagus. This medical condition contributes to an almost chronic GERD. Since the Hiatal Hernia does not have any symptoms, it's often diagnosed only through a case of GERD.

Common symptoms of GERD include a burning sensation or pain inside the chest, behind the breastbone. GERD often causes the mucus in the esophagus to be inflamed and the passage to be narrowed. This leads to difficulty in swallowing. If left untreated and allowed to deteriorate, GERD can cause the patient to have chronic sinusitis, cough, a hoarse voice, ear pain and nausea. In extremely severe cases and patients above 60 years of age GERD may lead to esophageal cancer.

Even infants may fall victim to GERD. It becomes difficult to diagnose the disease in children as they are often unable to verbally describe the pain. Constant crying, throwing up or spitting out food, failure to gain adequate weight, bad breath, unusual belching or burping, refusal to eat and respiratory problems in kids are often indicative of GERD. While diagnosing the condition in kids however, the symptoms have to be considered in combination.

Lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking can contribute to heartburn, in turn leading to GERD. Regular and large intakes of certain food like soda pops, very spicy curries, very hot food, fruits and vegetables containing a lot of citric acid and chocolates and peppermints may lead to GERD.

GERD can be treated in many ways, along with medication some physicians suggest some remedial measures to be adopted in the home. In very severe cases surgical remedy is also sought. Though this medical condition can make the sufferer rather uncomfortable, but if diagnosed early and treated well, GERD is completely curable.