Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

We all love to eat…right?  Well, sometimes after we eat that big meal or too much of something that just doesn’t sit right we get that unwelcomed heartburn feeling.  It is very uncomfortable and we can feel the burning sensation all the way up into our throat.  This “heartburn” is actually medically referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which is a disorder the affects the esophagus. 

The esophagus is a tube within our neck that is made of smooth muscle that leads from the throat, all the way to the stomach.  During meals or at snack time when you swallow your food or drink, it travels down your esophagus and into your stomach where the digestion process begins.  If you are diagnosed with a disorder of your esophagus, keep in mind that any part of it can be affected. 

Ideally, there are two sphincters of the esophagus, simply named the upper and lower esophageal sphincters, which work to prevent your food and fluids that you swallow from coming back up into your throat, or esophagus which can cause GERD.  In a healthy adult the esophagus muscles work by simultaneously squeezing and pushing food and fluids down toward your stomach.  While in the meantime the lower sphincter of your esophagus should be relaxed to allow the food and fluids to smoothly pass into the stomach for good and not return.  This now brings us to the point where we can better focus on the big question, “What exactly is GERD and how will I be cared for by Total Home Health?”

To describe this condition in more simple terms, GERD is a common condition that occurs when contents of the stomach flow back up into the esophagus.  Keep in mind that the acids in the stomach are very strong because when they are in full force they are responsible for breaking down the food and drink that you consume into nutrients that are shared and/or stored by your body.  Therefore, when these stomach contents decide to flow backwards and enter your esophagus after they have already been in the stomach, they can be very acidic and irritating to your esophageal tissue.  The irritation causes the esophagus to have to work that much harder to get rid of them if they come back up, which increases the time the acidic contents remain in your esophagus causing that much more damage the tissues.

So how do I know if I am experiencing GERD?  Following are signs and symptoms that you or your loved one may complain of:

ü  Indigestion after eating food that just does not agree, such as something spicy.

ü  Pain that radiates to the neck, jaw, or back that makes you feel like you could be having a heart attack.

ü  Pain that worsens with bending, straining, or lying down.

ü  Pain that always seems to occur after eating and may persist from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

ü  Irritation in your throat (persistent cough), a bitter taste in your mouth (from the stomach contents coming back up), or an increase in salivation.

ü  An increase in flatus (gas) and/or burping.

ü  Pain that is almost immediately relieved by drinking water, sitting upright, or if you take an antacid.

If you notice the same signs and symptoms as mentioned above are familiar to you, and that they occur up to four to five times per week in a consistent pattern, you will most likely be diagnosed with GERD.  Primarily, the treatment for GERD consists of making changes in your diet and lifestyle habits.  However, if your symptoms persists or do not improve with changes you have made to your habits, medications may also be prescribed.  As a last resort, surgery is also an option.  You should seek treatment for your GERD because if it is left untreated for an extended period of time it can lead to inflammation, breakdown of the esophageal tissue, and other complications, including cancer of the esophagus.

This condition can affect almost anyone, but there are definitely some specific factors that put you more at risk, these include but are not limited to the following:

ü  Being overweight

ü  Advancing age (delays in body functions)

ü  Sleep apnea

ü  Eating an excessive amount of fatty foods, fried foods, chocolate, caffeine, peppermint, spicy foods, tomatoes, alcohol, citrus fruits

ü  Increased pressure on the stomach from things such as being overweight, or tight clothing

ü  Specific medications may result in GERD, which your provider will discuss with you

ü  Stress

ü  Weakness and/or prolonged inactivity

ü  Lying flat

Depending on your health condition and the severity of your signs and symptoms, your provider will determine which diagnostic procedure will be the best for you to either rule out GERD, or diagnose you with it.  You will be well informed and educated thoroughly regarding which procedure is chosen for you and how your GERD symptoms will be treated if you do have GERD.  Do not delay if you find yourself having symptoms of this condition, more prompt treatment will result in better outcomes for you.

Total Home Health has a program that is just right for you and your experience with GERD.  Having this condition could cause you to avoid eating altogether if interventions are not taken.  Our nursing professionals will help you better understand your condition and take steps in the right direction to see that you do not have to totally avoid the foods you once loved, but rather consume them in moderation.  At Total Home Health we understand the simple pleasure that comes from eating and drinking what you enjoy, so we will do all we can to help you make positive lifestyle changes to avoid any of the extra treatment or further complications of GERD.  Life is short and should be enjoyed, so make the most out of yours with our Total Home Health professionals by your side, and enroll today!