Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

 

When stomach acid regularly rushes back into the tube that connects your mouth and stomach (the esophagus), it causes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This, along with backwash (acid reflux), could irritate your esophageal lining. Many people have acid reflux on occasion. However, if it happens regularly over time, persistent acid reflux may eventually cause GERD. Most people can manage their complaints of GERD by changing their way of life and taking medications. 

 

Introduction:

 

The condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, often called chronic acid reflux, is marked by recurrent infections of the esophagus, the tube that links your throat to your stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter, also a valve at the end of the esophagus, malfunctions when food enters the stomach, causing acid reflux. You subsequently encounter acid backwash, which, after ascending via your esophagus, leaves a sour sensation in your tongue and throat. 

Everyone eventually deals with acid reflux, almost universally. The occasional occurrence of dyspepsia and acid reflux is totally normal. Nevertheless, GERD may be the cause of your complaints if you encounter acid reflux or indigestion at least twice every week over the course of multiple weeks, frequently take antacid medications and indigestion pharmaceuticals, and still encounter repeated discomfort. 

 

Causes and Symptoms:

 

A dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter (LES) can cause acid reflux, a common GERD indication. At the tip of your esophagus, there is a circular section of muscle known as the LES. It relaxes and expands when you swallow, allowing both food and beverages to pass from the mouth to your gastrointestinal tract. Then, it gets closer and tighter. Acid reflux happens because a person’s LES doesn’t contract or close all the way. This enables fluids and other stomach contents to ascend up your esophagus. 

• Having a hiatal hernia: This happens when a portion of your stomach protrudes towards your chest from above your diaphragm. It’s possible that a damaged diaphragm will make your LES ineffective.
• Regularly consume huge meals: Your upper stomach may become distended as a result of this. This distension can indicate insufficient pressure on the LES, which prevents the LES from adequately closing.
• Too soon after eating, lie down. This may not produce enough pressure for the LES to work effectively.
• Eating a lot of food just before going to sleep while smoking or being around secondhand smoke

Medical problems like the ones below may make gastroesophageal reflux disease worse:

• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Connective tissue disorders
• Older age

 

Typical GERD warning signs and symptoms include:

• Burning sensation in the upper abdomen that typically occurs after Eating and may be exacerbated at midnight or while you’re lying down.
• Vomiting
• Chest discomfort or upper abdominal ache
• Dysphagia, a problem swallowing
• A feeling of having something lumpy in your throat
• A persistent cough
• Voice cord inflammation (laryngitis)
• Asthma flare-ups or new ones

 

Homeopathic Treatment for GERD:

 

Antacids, which function by altering the pH of the acid in the stomach to make it less acidic, are the traditional treatment for GERD. On the other hand, homeopathy gradually reduces GERD symptoms while also addressing the underlying source of the issue. Those who do not significantly improve despite lifestyle changes can benefit from homeopathy. The most popular medications for treating GERD include:

• One of the main medications for treating GERD is Robinia. Yellow locust is the name of the plant from which Robinia is made. Leguminosae is the natural order of this plant. The main GERD symptoms that should be treated with this medication are severe heartburn, persistent sour belching, and sour vomiting from stomach acid reflux. Heartburn and acidity symptoms sometimes worsen at night when you lie down and can keep you awake.
• GERD can be treated naturally with iris versicolor. It is made from a plant referred to as the “blue flag.” Iridaceae is the plant’s natural order. The main indication for using this medication is sour, bitter belching. The main symptoms are heartburn and a smarting, burning sensation in the throat, as well as vomiting of sour, bitter fluid that burns the throat. The area above the stomach, known as the epigastric region, may experience recurrent episodes of scorching discomfort and anguish. 
• For GERD patients who experience a sour taste in their mouth, calerea carb is a highly recommended medication. Along with the passage of sour, watery fluid from the mouth, sour substances are regurgitated. Along with nausea, there may be an offensive mouth odor. Other symptoms that could be present include heartburn, sour, bitter belches, and vomiting of sour, bitter slime (from the food consumed). Along with this, particularly after eating, there could also be persistent loud belching, a cough, and nausea.
• A particularly effective treatment for GERD and cough is nux vomica. One of the best-prescribed medications for a nighttime stomach cough that keeps you awake is Nux Vomica. Coughing frequently causes vomiting. The throat feels raw and throbbing, making swallowing potentially uncomfortable. There is burning in the throat, especially at night. Regurgitation of meals occurs along with heartburn and foul belching.
• Another medication with a strong GERD indication is natrum phos. It is helpful when swallowing issues accompany heartburn. Along with a loss of appetite, a lump in the throat may also be felt.
• For GERD, which is characterized by a burning pain in the throat, there is a medication called arsenic album. Swallowing makes the burning worse. It hurts and is tough to swallow. Acrid matter regurgitation, water brash, heartburn, severe nausea, and weakness are other symptoms. In addition,  arsenic album is a highly effective treatment for esophagitis, an inflammatory condition of the esophagus.
• Carbohydrates and vegetables can be used to cure GERD. Other signs include a burning sensation in the throat, a sour, foul burp that grows worse after drinking or eating, and difficulty swallowing. Even the most basic foods have a tendency to cause the disease.