GERD
The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal reflux is the rush of acids from the stomach to the esophageal canal continuously and regularly for more than two times a week. It should be noted that the main symptom of GERD is heartburn, Effects of this acid on the esophagus, such as serious tissue damage.
Causes of GERD
When the food swallows and reaches the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and opens, allowing the food to pass through the stomach and then closing again, but when this muscle is weakened or relaxed, the gallbladder squeezes the stomach from the stomach to the esophagus, and so the so-called gastroesophageal reflux occurs , And over time the recurrence of this reaction causes inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, causing several complications, such as narrowing the esophagus (pre-cancer), and bleeding.
The most vulnerable groups of GERD
Among the most vulnerable to GERD are:
- Pregnant due to increased pressure on the abdomen.
- People with a diaphragmatic hernia (a hole in the diaphragm), because in this case the upper part of the stomach moves upward towards the chest, reducing pressure on the esophageal muscle, thus increasing the risk of GERD.
- Exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Some medications such as asthma, antidepressants, sedatives, antihistamines and calcium channel blockers.
- People who are overweight or obese are exposed to the disease due to increased pressure on the abdomen.
Diagnosis of GERD
First, the diagnosis of this disease depends on the symptoms and response to treatment. It is often the treatment in people who have symptoms of the disease, but there is no clear evidence of complications is a change in lifestyle, or in some cases recommended treatment with drugs without any particular examination, Diagnosis is not clear or serious symptoms are present. It is recommended that a specific test and test should be performed, ie, diseases and problems that may cause symptoms similar to GERD symptoms, for example chest pain, should be excluded. , And the tests used to diagnose Esophageal reflux disease comes:
- Endoscopy: This method of diagnosis is used to evaluate the esophagus and is passed through a flexible tube containing a camera and a light source to the esophagus, stomach and intestine to present a larger image of the damage to those parts. A small sample of tissues may be taken to determine the extent of damage Annexed thereto.
- PH of the esophagus: This method is used to measure the frequency of acid reflux, although it is not always useful in diagnosing problems associated with acid reflux, or the diagnosis of GERD, but it is usually used for people who have a postoperative diagnosis or post-treatment, or for people who still have symptoms despite Of the treatment. In this way, the pH of the esophagus is studied by inserting a thin tube from the nose into the esophagus, and attached to a small device that can estimate how often the acid reaches the esophagus from the stomach. This device is left for 24 hours, then analyzes the data and determines the frequency of acid reflux and its relationship And an alternative way to measure pH in the esophagus is by hanging a small device on the esophagus that sends the pH information to another device on the patient’s body from the outside, eliminating the need to insert a tube from the nose into the esophagus. The disadvantage of this method is its need to put The device on the esophagus, but removing it does not need it, but comes out of itself through the stool.
- Esophageal pressure measurement: By swallowing a tube that measures the muscle contractions in the esophagus, this method of diagnosis helps determine whether the lower esophageal sphincter is working properly or not, and is usually used if the diagnosis is unclear using the previous methods or, if necessary Surgery.