Disease Conditions

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Introduction:

Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which food or liquid travels backwards from the stomach to the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). This action can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.

Cause:

When you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter i.e. the circular band of muscles around the bottom part of esophagus relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into your stomach. Then it closes again. If this valve does not close properly, food and liquid can move backwards into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

Certain factors may worsen the symptoms of GERD such as:

  • Obesity
  • Alcohol
  • Smoking
  • Lying down immediately after a large meal
  • Spicy food, caffeine, chocolate, carbonated beverages and onions
  • Certain medications such as sedatives and calcium channel blockers may cause GERD

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Heartburn: Burning sensation in the chest which worsens on bending, stooping, lying down or eating. Symptoms are more during the night
  • Regurgitation of food
  • Belching and vomiting
  • Chest pain especially at night while lying down
  • Cough with wheezing
  • Sore throat
  • Hoarseness of voice

Complications:

  • Inflammation of the esophagus (oesophagitis)
  • Narrowing of esophagus(Stricture)
  • Bronchospasm
  • Slightly increased risk of esophageal cancer

Investigations: Diagnosis can be made on the basis of signs and symptoms.

Barium X-ray: It can then reveal whether a hiatal hernia may be contributing to your heartburn. It can also reveal an esophageal narrowing or stricture, or a growth, which may cause difficulty in swallowing.

Endoscopy: A more direct test for diagnosing the cause of heartburn is Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). In this test your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera (endoscope) down your throat. The endoscope allows your doctor to see if you have an ulcerated or inflamed esophagus (oesophagitis) or stomach (gastritis). It can also reveal a peptic ulcer.

Continuous esophageal pH monitoring showing reflux.

Treatment: The conventional treatment includes antacids, acid blocking medications and medications to strengthen the oesophageal muscles. If the medications doesn’t help then surgical intervention is done to strengthen the esophageal sphincter[Linx device] etc.

Homeopathic Management:

  • Patients suffering from GERD do not have to depend on antacids if they are treated by homeopathy which treats without side effects.
  • Constitutional homeopathic medicine is prescribed after taking into account a person's physical, emotional and psychological makeup. His likes and dislikes ups and downs which he has suffered in his life, any stress which he presently is going through.
  • All these factors are essential in finding out a correct remedy. Further damage to the esophageal tissue is avoided as the patient feels better mentally and physically.
  • Homeopathy first of all targets the lower oesophageal sphincter strengthening it and thus reducing the back flow of the food particles ensuring proper functioning of the valve by rectifying its laxity.
  • As a result not only the symptoms of the patient like heartburn, regurgitation and eructations improve drastically, but also the further complications like oesophagitis and cancer are also prevented.
  • Thus the dependency on the conventional form of treatment that relieves temporarily is no longer required.

How Happy Livin will help you:

Dr.Joshi is a leading name in the field of Homeopathy who has around 16 years of experience in treating the patient in the classical way as intended by our Founder of Homeopathy - Dr.Samuel Hahnemann.

There is an attempt to bring the best quality of treatment at your doorstep.

A thorough case-taking is done at your convenience and after careful analysis of the same, the best quality Homeopathic medicines procured from Germany are delivered at your doorstep in a week's time along with certain health tips, dietary instructions to be followed according to the disease condition.