Things You Need to Know About Acid Reflux & GERD

Acid reflux and GERD are on the rise since our eating habits have changed drastically. The consumption of greasy, oily, and spicy foods has increased significantly. This has led to digestive problems like acid reflux and GERD. Acid reflux and GERD problems happen in the worst situations.

These things can cause a lot of other issues within your digestive system. In this article, we highlight the things you need to know if you have acid reflux and GERD.

What are acid reflux and GERD?

After we have consumed a meal, the food rises in the esophagus along with the digestive acids. This is called acid reflux. The other terms for it are acid regurgitation or gastroesophageal reflux.

If the acid reflux occurs more than twice a week, then the condition is called (GERD). GERD stands for Gastroesophageal reflux disease. As per a study conducted by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), about 20% of people in the US are GERD patients.

GERD symptoms to check:

If you have GERD, you feel an uncomfortable sensation in your chest that rises up to your throat. This is known as heartburn. You feel a sour or bitter taste at the back of your throat when the acid rises in your esophageal cavity.

The rising acid may also cause some food to rise along with the acid especially if you have had a meal. GERD can cause problems like difficulty in swallowing. It may also cause problems with chronic cough or asthma and other breathing concerns.

Causes of GERD:

At the end of the esophagus, we have a ring-shaped muscle called the sphincter muscle. With its normal function, it is easy to swallow and the muscle relaxes and opens up during the process. Once the function is over, it closes itself tightly. This muscle is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

GERD occurs when LES is unable to close itself tightly after the person has stopped eating the meal. This makes the acid in the digestive system rise in the esophagus causing a sensation of heartburn.

Treatment options for GERD:

There are various temporary treatment options for GERD. This includes acidity relaxants, antacids, and other off-the-counter medicines. Apart from these, you can even try some homemade remedies to alleviate GERD symptoms.

Apart from medicines and home remedies for GERD, your mental health also plays a significant role in the causes of GERD. If you are a person with a lot of anxiety and stress, then GERD may cause havoc on your health.

Therefore, with your physical health, it is important to take care of your mental health as well. Eventually, everything begins in your mind.

Conclusion:

GERD is a health issue that can result in serious health issues in the long run. It is essential to curb it as soon as you find it happening. HnG online pharmacy based in Zambia is one of the popular online pharmacies. We offer various discounts on medicines for GERD and other illnesses.