What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux or gastro-reflux disease of the esophagus (GERD) is not a disease, but a condition. In addition to the filling and under the meal, excessive consumption of spicy foods, regular consumption of alcohol and smoking, accompanied by lack of exercise, are considered the main causes of acid reflux. In acidic reflux, food in the stomach begins to return to the esophagus. Food that grows in the esophagus is not a simple food. It also contains strong acids and digestive enzymes. This acidified food burns the protective mucous membrane of the lower esophagus due to the fact that this burning mucous membrane becomes weak and even completely destroyed. This burning and destruction make the mucosa more susceptible to ulcers and cancers. The most visible signs and symptoms include a burning sensation behind the chest and stabbing chest pain. Other symptoms include frequent coughing, difficulty swallowing, sinusitis, voice changes due to voice chamber damage and nausea. In case of improper treatment and ignorance, acid reflux will be transformed into serious diseases such as ulcers, strictures, sore throat, larynx and lungs, and even cancer.
Acid Reflux Treatment
Acid reflux can be treated in two ways. One of them is the right medicine, and the other is a simple change in lifestyle and eating habits. Regardless of what you use as a treatment for acid reflux, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor. This is due to the fact that drugs used to treat other diseases can inhibit drugs used to treat acid reflux. Acid reflux treatment can be classified into three broad categories.
- Changes and changes in lifestyle
- Medicines
- Surgery or laparoscopic surgery
Changes and changes in lifestyles
In this treatment, patients are encouraged to change their lifestyle from eating habits to sleep habits and even to body postures during physical training. If we talk about eating habits, patients will have to quit spicy foods, coffee, alcohol. It is also proposed to reduce the consumption of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower. It is also recommended to have less food, but more than 3 times. Avoid eating before bedtime. This will reduce the expansion of the stomach during digestion. Chewing gum immediately after eating will increase the production of saliva, which in turn neutralizes the acid in the esophagus and, in turn, facilitates acid reflux. Patients are advised to follow the following guidelines.
- Stop smoking.
- Reduce caffeine intake.
- reduce stress
- Try to maintain an ideal body weight.
- Try not to wear clothes with a waist.
- Do not do physical exercise after meals.
Poor body postures, such as bending or sagging, which cause a contraction of the stomach, can increase the chances of GRED. Patients are advised to try to keep their body in a straight and comfortable posture. Do not sleep without a pillow. Keep your upper body higher, it will not allow fluid to enter the esophagus.
drug treatment
Proton pump inhibitor drugs
Specific drugs are also intended to be used as an acid reflux treatment. Some drugs reduce acid production by deactivating cell surface molecules (proton pumps) in the gastric lining. Proton pumps work with positively charged hydrogen ions and increase acid production. Proton-pump inhibiting drugs have serious side effects.
Antacids
Mild cases are treated with antacids. Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate are common antacids used to treat acid reflux. Antacids raise the pH of the stomach and reduce acidity, neutralizing the acid in the stomach. Antacids should be taken an hour after eating. Because antacid can not stay longer in the stomach and leave the stomach for an hour. Eating increases the retention time of the antacid in the stomach. Other than low pH antacids, there are certain unwanted side effects. Aluminum containing antacids can cause constipation, while antacids containing magnesium can cause diarrhea. Liquid antacids are preferable to tablets. Maalox II, Mylanta II, Gelusil II, and Extra Strength Riopan are the strongest available anti-antacid agents.
Alginic acid
Alginic acid is an active component of foam tablets. Foam tablets contain alginic acid in combination with aluminum hydroxide gel and magnesium trisilicate. Alginic acid in the tablet forms a protective coating on the stomach and lower esophageal mucosa. This allows cells to recover and recover. Foaming tablets form a foam in the stomach. This foam begins to float at the top of the fluid contents in the stomach. Foam acts as a physical barrier and does not allow fluid to rise in the esophagus. Two foaming barriers Gaviscon and Algicon are commercially available. It is recommended to chew after 30-60 minutes of a meal or before bedtime.
Antihistamine
Antihistamines are also used to treat acid reflux. The walls of the stomach produce histamine. Histamine accelerates the production of acid by binding specific receptors present in cells that produce gastric acid. Antihistamines bind to these receptors and block histamine binding, which, in turn, reduces the production of acid. Ranitidine, famotidine, cimetidine and nizatidine usually use histamine antihistamines or antagonists. They are available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription, but the OTC dose is lower than that of a prescription. Antihistamines are taken 30 minutes before meals. This will make the antihistamine available in higher concentrations when the stomach actively produces acids for digesting food. Antihistamine gives quick relief from primary heartburn and esophageal inflammation.
prokinetics
Prokinetic drugs act on the lower muscles of the esophagus. As a result, the muscles became stiffer and accelerated the withdrawal of food from the stomach. Because of this, food does not get a chance to return to the lower esophagus. Due to dangerous side effects, use is not recommended. Drugs were withdrawn from the market.
Sucralfate
Sucralfate is used to work properly with digestive muscles. They improve the healing of the muscles of the esophagus. It protects the sensitive mucosa. It is commonly used in combination with anti-GERD drugs.
Surgery or laparoscopic surgery
Acid reflux syndrome can be treated with surgery. Surgical procedures are used to support the lower esophagus. This will stop the growth of acidified food in the esophagus. The surgical procedure used to accomplish this is called falsification. In this method, the stomach is wrapped through the esophageal sphincter. Surgical treatment of acid reflux is very difficult. Before the surgery, an intensive study was taken out to check the patient's condition. These studies include combined pH impedance, non-acid testing and acid reflux. Surgery is an invasive procedure and must be especially careful. Unlike laparoscopic surgery, the less invasive method. In this method, tiny holes are made in the navel and upper abdomen. Patients recover quickly. Laparoscopic surgery should be performed by qualified and experienced surgeons.
