What is Gastric Reflux Disease?
The connection point of the esophagus with the stomach, that is, at the entrance of the stomach, is a valve consisting of a muscular structure. This valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, this valve (LES) is closed. When we swallow the bite in our mouth while we eat, this valve opens and the bite we swallow passes into the stomach. This valve then closes.
Our stomach is an organ that constantly produces acid for the digestion of food. If this valve does not work well, the acid in the stomach moves towards the esophagus. In some people, this condition causes typical symptoms of reflux, such as a burning sensation in the throat and chest, and chest pain.
In fact, every person may have reflux once a month, due to a heavy meal and a stressful period. However, if acid reflux symptoms occur more than twice a week, you likely have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The most obvious symptom of reflux disease is a burning sensation ( heartburn ) that spreads from the stomach to the chest or throat.
With this burning sensation in the throat, some patients may experience hoarseness and dry cough symptoms. Patients with cough or hoarseness often refer to an otolaryngologist or pulmonologist. Bitter water in the mouth from time to time is another typical finding of reflux disease.
In addition, some patients may experience occasional nausea, vomiting bloody in saliva, hiccups, a feeling of pressure behind the chest, and difficulty in swallowing.
How Is Reflux Diagnosed?
Reflux symptoms usually occur half an hour after a meal or at night. The most common stomach reflux symptoms are;
- heartburn,
- combustion,
- gas,
- vomiting,
- nausea,
- mouth watering
is in the form. But these are not the only symptoms. As a result of the contents of the stomach hitting the esophagus, it causes damage to the nerves in the region. As a result, complaints arise in the chest, throat, heart, or various other places.
Reflux complaints vary according to the region of the stomach affected. The first thing to do to diagnose the patient with reflux symptoms is ' Endoscopy '. Gastric valve function is evaluated by endoscopy method. In this way, the severity of reflux is measured and a certain treatment method is found.
Who Gets Reflux?
- smokers and alcohol users
- having obesity
- Eating excessive fatty foods
- Excessive consumption of tea, coffee, cola, chocolate
- pregnant
- having a stomach hernia (hiatus hernia)
- taking drugs that affect the gastric valve
- consuming acidic foods
The possibility of reflux in humans is very high.
Do Babies and Children Have Reflux?
Although reflux is considered an adult problem, it is also seen in infants and children. Reflux in children causes developmental disorders and restlessness.
In children, reflux occurs when the food passes through the esophagus, with the irritation and inflammation of the food there. The child's painful and reluctant refusal to eat is a sign of reflux. Bad breath in a child can also be a sign of reflux.
Causes of Reflux During Pregnancy
With the deterioration of hormonal balances and the growth of the baby over time, pressure occurs in the stomach. This is one of the reasons why reflux occurs in pregnant women. The growth of the baby in the womb causes the acid in the stomach to escape. As a result, pregnancy reflux occurs. The main cause of reflux during pregnancy is the enlargement of the uterus and the narrowing of the stomach.
Diseases Caused by Reflux
Reflux disease , which is seen in both infants and children and adults , can bring some diseases together. We can list the diseases caused by reflux as follows:
- Pneumonia due to leakage of acidic fluid into the lung
- Respiratory diseases such as asthma, pharyngitis
- Bad breath
- mute
- tooth decay
- Sleep problem
- iron deficiency anemia
- narrowing of part of the stomach
- Snore
