What is the feeling of "acid reflux"? - Gastroesophageal reflux disease

After a good meal, I feel acid reflux and a little heartburn (commonly known as "heartburn"), what disease is this? Many people think that this is just stomach discomfort, but in fact, this may be a signal of "gastroesophageal reflux disease".

1. What exactly is gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is an esophageal disease, which refers to the reflux of gastric and duodenal contents into the esophagus, causing corresponding esophageal symptoms and/or complications. Its typical symptoms are heartburn, reflux and chest pain, and there may also be regurgitation, dysphagia and odynophagia. Reflux is what we often call "acid reflux", which refers to the phenomenon of gastric contents flowing toward the pharynx or oral cavity. Atypical symptoms include upper abdominal pain, belching, abdominal distension, upper abdominal discomfort, foreign body sensation in the pharynx, etc. Reflux can cause esophageal damage, manifested as erosive esophagitis (i.e. reflux esophagitis), and can also cause damage to tissues other than the esophagus, such as the throat and airway.

2. Who is prone to gastroesophageal reflux disease?

(1) Middle-aged and elderly people: It is generally believed that the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease increases with age, with the peak age of 40-60 years old. Elderly people over 60 years old should pay special attention.

(2) Males: Male patients are significantly more than females. Surveys show that the male-to-female incidence ratio is 2.4:1.

(3) Obesity: Obesity is a moderate risk factor for reflux esophagitis, and overweight is a common phenomenon among patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

(4) Smoking: Regular smoking is a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

(5) Drinking: Many studies have found that drinking is significantly associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Surveys have found that drinking more than seven times a week and drinking heavily are associated with this disease.

(6) Mental factors: Studies have shown that fatigue, mental stress, and anger are all closely related to symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease, and suggest that psychological stress may be a risk factor.

3. How to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic and intractable disease. The key is that patients must adhere to long-term treatment. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is still mainly treated with drugs. It is generally believed that the shortest course of treatment for patients is 8 weeks. After the condition is relieved, the doctor will determine whether maintenance treatment is needed to prevent recurrence. If the reflux symptoms have been completely controlled or disappeared, and the inflammatory changes of the esophageal mucosa have been repaired through gastroscopy review, patients can prevent and treat the disease by changing their eating habits, controlling smoking and drinking, losing weight, and raising the head of the bed when sleeping. If symptoms recur thereafter, patients should restart taking medication or take medication intermittently and use on-demand treatment to treat the disease. In addition to drug treatment, gastroesophageal reflux disease can also be treated surgically if necessary.

4. If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, what should you pay attention to in your life?

This disease is a chronic recurrent disease, which can only be improved by cultivating good living habits and regular treatment.

(1) Eat small, frequent meals, a low-fat, light diet, and avoid foods and drinks that aggravate symptoms (such as spicy foods, mint, chocolate, onions, citrus juices, and carbonated drinks).

(2) Avoid eating too much, especially at dinner.

(3) Do not eat 3 hours before going to bed.

(4) Lose weight and avoid smoking, drinking and coffee.

(5) Do not lie down immediately after a meal. When sleeping, raise the head of the bed by 10-15 cm (note, do not raise the pillow) to reduce the chance of acid reflux.

(6) Mental stimulation should be avoided.

(7) Do not wear clothes that are too tight and do not tie your belt too tight.

Many patients achieve significant improvement in their symptoms by eliminating factors in their daily lives that trigger reflux; of course, lifestyle changes are often combined with medication.

5. What issues should patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease pay attention to when taking long-term medication?

(1) Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who take acid suppressants for a long time should be alert to adverse reactions, such as reduced calcium absorption, osteoporosis and brittle fractures, and impaired absorption of vitamin B12 and vitamin C.

(2) Domperidone (Metoclopramide) may cause heart-related risks, and it is recommended to limit its use. Elderly patients who experience nausea and vomiting can choose other prokinetic drugs first.

(3) For manifestations other than esophageal reflux, such as nocturnal asthma, nighttime acid suppressant therapy can be used to observe the efficacy; chronic pharyngitis requires at least 3-6 months of acid suppressant therapy to be effective, and the adverse reactions of long-term acid suppressant therapy must be fully considered.