Gastroesophageal Reflux Acid Disease (GERD) : Effective Treatment

     Acid Reflux Disease is not only a condition that disrupts our daily life, but it is also a disease that can occur at any age. Symptoms include discomfort, bloating, nausea, and difficulty swallowing. If left untreated, it may lead to more serious health issues, such as esophageal cancer. Understanding the causes and proper management of this disease can help patients achieve a better and sustainable quality of life.

Acid Reflux Disease

     Acid reflux disease (GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is a condition where acid or stomach digestive fluids flow back up into the esophagus, which is not resistant to acid. This causes inflammation. It is found in about one in five people and can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in overweight individuals or smokers. If acid reflux is excessive, it may flow out of the esophagus and affect the vocal cords, throat, and lungs. If neglected and not treated by a doctor, it can become chronic and lead to esophageal cancer.

What Are the Symptoms of Acid Reflux Disease?

Esophageal Symptoms:

• A burning pain or discomfort in the chest, known as heartburn, is caused by acid irritating the esophagus.
• A feeling of tightness in the chest, as if there is a lump stuck in the throat, or difficulty breathing while lying down.
• Difficulty swallowing food.
• Nausea.
• Sour burps have a bitter taste of bile, or a sour taste of acid in the mouth or throat.

Symptoms in the Larynx and Trachea:

• Chronic cough, chronic sore throat.
• Hoarseness, especially in the morning, as acid can flow back more during sleep.
• Pneumonia or chest pain.

Diagnosis of Acid Reflux Disease

Traditional Acid Reflux Testing:

• Barium swallow test for the stomach.
• Endoscopy: A preliminary examination to view tissue damage, but it cannot measure the amount of acid reflux.

New Method for Measuring Acid Reflux

• 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring: This is the most accurate method for diagnosing acid reflux by measuring the amount of acid in the esophagus.

24-Hour Esophageal pH Monitoring

This method involves inserting a small, 2mm-wide probe through the nose, which stays in the esophagus for 24 hours to record acid levels. The results are analyzed immediately to determine:

• Whether the symptoms are caused by acid reflux.
• How many times does acid reflux occur in the esophagus, and for how long?
• Whether the acid reflux correlates with the patient’s symptoms.
• Whether the medication effectively controls acid reflux.

Acid Reflux Measurement Device

24-hour gastric pH monitoring is suitable for patients with a variety of symptoms, such as:

• Patients with acid reflux who don’t improve after taking medication.
• Patients who cannot stop using acid-suppressing drugs without worsening symptoms.
• Young patients who do not want to take medication for an extended period.
• Patients with chest pain similar to heart disease but who are diagnosed as not having heart disease.
• Patients with chronic hoarseness, feeling like there is a lump in the throat or a sore throat, who an ENT doctor and no abnormalities were found.
• Patients who undergo endoscopy and find severe inflammation at the esophageal end.

Treatment for Acid Reflux Disease

     The availability of modern tools enables the accurate management of patients with acid reflux. This has improved diagnostic accuracy and predictions of treatment outcomes, which is a departure from the past, where doctors would continually adjust medications. Now, doctors can create a tailored healthcare plan, providing a better quality of life and improved mental well-being for patients.

Acid reflux disease is often detected in overweight individuals or smokers. If neglected and untreated, it may become chronic and develop into esophageal cancer.