What Is Gerd? Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Remedies

TheIndonesia.id - GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a chronic disease of the stomach's digestive system. Gerd occurs when the stomach acid rises back up into the esophagus (gullet). This condition happens due to the weakening of the sphincter (valve), causing irritation of the esophagus.

Normal valves will open to allow food and drink to enter the stomach and be digested by the body. After drinks and food enter the stomach, the valve will be tightly and tightly closed to prevent stomach contents from rising into the esophagus, causing vomiting.

However, in people with GERD, the valve is weakened, making it can't close properly. This can cause stomach contents to be filled with food and stomach acid to rise into the esophagus.

 GERD symptoms

GERD has general symptoms similar to ulcer disease. Even though it has general symptoms that are similar to an ulcer, you need to be aware of GERD symptoms. Here are some of them.

• Feel a burning sensation in the chest which sometimes spreads to the esophagus
• A burning sensation that gets worse after eating or lying down can also exacerbate symptoms
• These sensations are also accompanied by a bitter and sour taste in the mouth
• Pain in the throat and voice becomes hoarse
• Difficulty breathing to nausea
• Prolonged bad breath or dry cough

Causes of GERD

The cause of GERD is the failure to relax the ring (sphincter) which plays a role in regulating the process of opening and closing the valve that connects the lower esophagus to the stomach. The sphincter itself is a ring of muscle fibers that are located around the inner surface of our body. The sphincter functions to regulate substances needed by the body.

Several foods can be a factor in causing GERD, including coffee, fried foods, alcohol, garlic, and shallots.

Other things that can also increase the risk of GERD are bad habits that are done unconsciously or consciously, such as:

• Smoke
• The habit of eating three hours before bedtime
• Reducing the portion of food consumed
• In addition, taking certain drugs such as aspirin can also cause an increased risk of GERD.

How to Overcome GERD

How to deal with GERD symptoms, you can take the following class of drugs:

• H-2 receptor blockers, such as famotidine, cimetidine, and ranitidine.
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole and lansoprazole.
• Antacids

To determine the type of drug that is suitable and appropriate to be used to treat GERD, we need to consult a doctor first.