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Last posts on private forums:  sare  2008-06-16 09:56:33 matthew 2008-04-12 21:25:59 pieniadz 2008-04-12 20:52:26
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Last posts on private blogs: matthew 2008-04-12 21:25:17 mary 2008-04-12 19:27:47 |
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Lastly added medical terms:
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You are in: Main Page / Medical articles / Diseases / Treatment of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition which can make a person's life worse and destroy mood, especially after a meal. Why? The article presents information about gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD, its causes, symptoms and treatment.
One of the most common diseases of the digestive tract is gastroesophageal reflux disease. In normal and ordinary conditions food comes to the stomach through the esophagus, then it moves to the esophageal duct. These are the rhythmical peristaltic movements which are responsible for transporting food through the garstoesophageal tract.
Food can't move back because a special mechanism prevents it from doing so, this muscle is called inferior sphincter of the esophagus (it blocks the duct and food can't go up). It relaxes only when the food needs to move to the stomach. It has a special role in the organism as it blocks rising up the stomach content of the esophagus. Gastric juice that rises up the esophagus and mouth contains digested food, hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes. The wall of the stomach is immune to its work, however, esophagus gets irritated by gastric juice, this causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. If pain occurs several times a week we call it GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), occasional heartburns are called GER (gastroesophageal reflux).
Heartburn is a typical symptom of the disease - it's a burning-type pain in the lower part of the mid-chest, behind the breast bone, and in the mid-abdomen. It appears after meals or during sleep, it can even wake a person up. In such a case, a relief can achieved by drinking warm water, tea, simply raising head of the bed or a short walk. Other symptoms include rising up the gastric juice to the throat or even mouth. Sometimes, the feeling of burning pain is triggered by the irritation of mucous membrane of the esophagus and the reaction to the food.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause other conditions which are less typical. It can react in the acid taste in the mouth, cause recurring pneumonias or even asthma. People suffering from GERD complain about heartburn and burning sensation in the chest. As it turns out, the amount of gastric acid is bigger than in healthy people. The treatment begin immediately without doing any tests or examinations. However, gastroscopy can be essential for diagnosing the disease and assessment of its stage of development.
Most of the patients recover from GERD after several weeks of an effective treatment. The disease may recur after several months or years. Doctors prescribe antiacids or H2 blockers which neutralize or absorb the hydrochloric acid. Some natural herbal medications helps to relieve from gastroesophageal disease.
Added by:
mary
not connected with health care system
Added on:
2008-09-24 11:43:53 ,
Updated:
2008-09-30 10:33:46
Bibliography:
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