GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux) Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD is a very common concern, affecting millions of people around the world. It tends to happen when stomach acid flows back into the connecting tube of the mouth and stomach (esophagus). Acid reflux can irritate the esophagus and lead to uncomfortable symptoms. GERD symptoms might not be an inconvenience for some, but for others, it’s a chronic and severe condition that can greatly impact one’s daily life. If you’re dealing with frequent heartburn or a more constant issue, knowing about gastroesophageal reflux disease is the first step in managing it effectively. 

In this blog, we will explore causes, symptoms, and treatments. We will also talk about certain scenarios, like GERD in babies or adults, as well as the dietary plans that can make a great impact on your quality of life,  from lifestyle adjustments to medical procedures like surgery.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) Diseases Causes

Understanding what are the root of causes, is critical in dealing with and preventing it. The condition is usually a result of a failure in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that acts as if it were a valve between the esophagus and stomach. When it doesn’t close properly, the stomach acids can flow back into the esophagus, which causes irritation and if they lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. 

Some of the common GERD causes include: 

• Dietary choices: Certain types of foods and drinks can relax the LES, making you more likely to experience reflux. These common foods include junk food, spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol. 
• Obesity: Obesity lead to excess weight in the abdominal area, can put pressure on the stomach and make acid go back into the esophagus. 
• Smoking: Smoking weakens the LES and increases acid production in the stomach. 
• Hiatal Hernia: This condition, causes a part of the stomach to push up through the diaphragm and inside the chest cavity, hiatal hernia can also cause LES to malfunction. 
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and pressure on the stomach, from the uterus growing can lead to GERD in pregnant women. 
• Certain Medications: Medicine like aspirins, ibuprofen, and specific muscle relaxers can irritate the esophagus or make the LES relax and trigger symptoms. 

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) Symptoms

Knowing the most common symptoms is essential for early intervention and treatment. While frequent heartburn is common, nonstop symptoms may demonstrate a more serious issue. The most well-known GERD symptoms include frequent heartburn, regurgitation, and difficulty swallowing. However, there are additional gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms that can vary in severity depending on the individual:

Here are nine common GERD symptoms: 

• Heartburn: A sensation of burning in the chest, usually after eating, which may get worse at night. 
• Regurgitation: A bitter-tasting or sour acid backing up in the throat or mouth. 
• Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia): This is the feeling of being stuck in your throat or chest. 
• Chest Pain: Even though it is often mistaken for heart problems, chest pain can be also symptom of this problem. 
• Chronic Cough: A persistent cough that doesn’t go away, especially after eating. 
• Sore Throat: A constant feeling of irritation and soreness in the throat. 
• Hoarseness: A raspy or hoarse voice, most common in the mornings. 
• The feeling of a Lump in the Throat (Globus Sensation): A feeling of sensing a lump in your throat without any type of obstruction.
• Nausea: Getting the feeling of sickness, especially after meals. 

If you feel like you experience any of these symptoms regularly, it’s vital to consult a healthcare professional. If left without treatment, can pave the way to more severe health issues such as esophagitis, stricture, or even Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that can increase the risk of esophageal cancer. 

GERD Diseases in Infants

This medical problem isn’t just a concern for adults, it can also affect children. In babies is pretty common, as their digestive systems are still growing. However, it’s vital to be able to tell apart from normal infant reflux, which most children outgrow, but in the case of GERD, it may require a medical intervention. GERD in babies can lead to respiratory issues or nutritional deficiencies. For parents, it’s essential to recognize these symptoms and consult a pediatrician for appropriate gastroesophageal reflux disease treatments for their child.

Symptoms of GERD in babies can include: 

• Frequently vomiting or spitting up
• Irritability during or after feedings
• Refusing to eat or having difficulty eating
• Poor weight gain
• Coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing

If you think that your baby might have this problem, talk to a pediatrician for an evaluation. Treatment can involve changes in diet, adjusting feedings, or in more severe cases, using medication. 

GERD in Adults 

GERD in adults is usually linked to factors in lifestyle and underlying health issues. While this reflux can occasionally happen to anyone, persistent symptoms are signs that something more serious might be going on. GERD in adults manifests as persistent heartburn, chest pain, or difficulty swallowing. Adult cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease are often tied to lifestyle factors like diet, smoking, and obesity. Recognizing gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms early can prevent complications like esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus, which increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) Treatments

Managing GERD effectively often requires a combination of lifestyle changes, diet changes, and medical interventions. Gastroesophageal reflux disease treatments can vary because the symptoms may vary depending on the needs of each patient. Here you can take a closer look at how you can manage it and long-term strategies to keep the symptoms at bay.

Lifestyle Changes

• Elevating the head of your bed: Sleeping with your head in an angle and elevated, while sleeping can reduce or even prevent acid reflux during the night.
• Eat smaller meals: Larger meals can put more pressure on the LES, eating smaller portions or even smaller meals more frequently can help in reducing or preventing the symptoms. 
• Avoid lying down after meals: waiting at least 2 to 3 hours after eating, before laying down will let your stomach digest your meal. 

GERD Diet

Your diet plays a crucial role in GERD symptoms, not properly managing your diet will allow certain foods that can trigger or worsen the symptoms, while others can help alleviate and prevent any discomfort. Here we have some recommendations for a GERD diet. 

• Following a healthy diet can provide significant relief. Avoid foods that can trigger GERD, like spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol, this is crucial for managing symptoms. 
• Incorporate foods that can help reduce acids, these are, ginger, bananas, oatmeal, and green vegetables, which can all help decrease or eliminate acid reflux. 

Foods to Avoid 

• Spicy foods: These types of foods can irritate the esophagus and can increase the production of acids. 
• Chocolate: They contain caffeine and theobromine, they both relax the LES. 
• Caffeine: In coffee, tea, and certain sodas, caffeine triggers acid reflux. 
• Alcohol: Alcohol can relax the LES and this produces more stomach acid. 
• Fried or fatty foods: These foods can slow digestion, increasing the chances of acid reflux. 
• Citrus fruits: Certain fruits like oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits. These are high in acids and can worsen GERD symptoms. 
• Tomatoes and tomato-based products: They are also high in acids and can cause heartburn and reflux.

Foods you can Include: 

• Ginger: It’s known for having anti-inflammatory properties, but ginger can help minimize GERD. 
• Oatmeal: Considered a good source, oatmeal can absorb stomach acids and reduce symptoms. 
• Bananas and melons: These foods are low-acid fruit and they are gentle on the stomach. 
• Green vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, and green beans are foods low in acid but they are rich in fiber. This makes them a great addition to a GERD-friendly diet. 
• Lean proteins: Chicken, turkey, and fish are all foods that have lower chances of causing acid reflux than fatty meats. 

Medications 

• Antacids: These can help give quick relief, neutralizing stomach acid. 
• H2 Blockers: These can aid in reducing the amount of acid your stomach is producing. 
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): These are a much stronger acid blockers, that can help promote the esophagus to heal. 

GERD Surgery

For individuals suffering from severe GERD symptoms and when managing well with lifestyle changes and medications, just doesn’t cut it, this may be a good option to look into. Looking for a professional and certified group of medical experts for GEARD treatment is important. Procedures such as fundoplication, in which the top of the stomach wraps around the LES, thus strengthening the valve and preventing acid reflux. 

Surgery is often recommended as a last resort of treatment, it can really be an effective method for individuals with severe or persistent symptoms. One of the typical surgical treatments is fundoplication. In this procedure, the surgeon wraps the top part of the stomach surrounding the LES to help the valve reinforce thus reducing the acid reflux. 

A LINX procedure is another viable option the LINX device implantation is a ring of very little magnetic beads placed around the LES to aid in staying together when it should, this prevents teh acid from flowing back to the esophagus. 

These procedures are usually recommended to treat severe symptoms, as complications like Barrett’s esophagus have developed, or changes in lifestyle habits and medication just don’t prove to be enough relief.

There are surgery options, for patients who don’t respond well to traditional treatments. GERD surgery can offer a permanent solution. Often includes options such as fundoplication, once the top of the stomach is wrapped around the LES it can prevent acid from coming back up again. This procedure is a long-term fix for patients suffering these gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms, if they do not respond well to non-invasive treatments. Even with newer procedures, like the LINX device, which can provide extra options for GERD treatments. 

By knowing about these symptoms, and GERD causes early on and incorporating appropriate GERD treatments. Some individuals can greatly improve their quality of life. In any case through lifestyle changes, medications, or even GERD surgery, patients can have a variety of options to control this condition effectively. 

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of individuals around the world, it can affect infants to adults. Being able to recognize these typical GERD symptoms is a critical part of controlling the condition efficiently. Some of the most well-known gastroesophageal reflux, include heartburn, regurgitation, chest pains, difficulty swallowing, and a cough that doesn’t go away. These symptoms may seem mild at the beginning but they can get worse over time, especially if it’s left untreated. 

Contact

If you or a loved one are struggling with symptoms, LIMARP offers specialized gastroesophageal reflux disease treatments that can help you manage and alleviate your discomfort. From lifestyle guidance to advanced surgical options like surgery, our clinic provides various effective solutions tailored to your needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward long-lasting relief.

Resources

For more information on GERD symptoms, treatments, or the impact of in babies and adults, visit the following trusted medical resources:

• Johns Hopkins Medicine: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Mayo Clinic: GERD Symptoms and Causes
• Cleveland Clinic: Acid Reflux and GERD