GERD
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, or chronic acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly and stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach. The esophagus carries food from the mouth to the stomach. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even be tasted in the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion.
Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Heartburn that occurs more than twice a week may be considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems.
Anyone, including infants, children, and pregnant women, can have GERD.
What are the symptoms of GERD?
- Heartburn.
- Regurgitation (food comes back into your mouth from the esophagus).
- The feeling of food caught in your throat.
- Coughing.
- Chest pain.
- Problem swallowing.
- Vomiting.
- Sore throat and hoarseness.
What causes GERD?
No one knows why people get GERD. A hiatal hernia may contribute. A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach is above the diaphragm, the muscle wall that separates the stomach from the chest. The diaphragm helps the LES keep acid from coming up into the esophagus. When a hiatal hernia is present, it is easier for the acid to come up. In this way, a hiatal hernia can predispose to reflux.
Other factors that may contribute to GERD include:
- alcohol use
- excess weight
- pregnancy
- smoking
- citrus fruits
- chocolate
- drinks with caffeine
- fatty and fried foods
- garlic and onions
- mint flavorings
- spicy foods
- tomato-based foods, like spaghetti sauce, chili, and pizza.
How is GERD (chronic acid reflux) diagnosed?
Usually your provider can tell if you have simple acid reflux (not chronic) by talking with you about your symptoms and medical history. You and your provider can talk about controlling your symptoms through diet and medications.
If these strategies don’t help, your provider may ask you to get tested for GERD. Tests for GERD include:
- Upper gastrointestinal GI endoscopy and biopsy
- Upper GI series
- Esophageal pH and impedance monitoring and Bravo wireless esophageal pH monitorin
- Esophageal manometry
How do we treat GERD at Netra?
Acupuncture
- Non-Surgical and Opioid-Free treatment.
- No side effects and safe.
- Releases Endorphins to combat pain.
- Reduces Inflammation and Increases Circulation.
Non-Surgical and Opioid-Free treatment.
No side effects and safe.
Releases Endorphins to combat pain.
Reduces Inflammation and Increases Circulation.
Ayurvedic Medicine
- Complete holistic healing system in existence more than 3000 years.
- Based on the concept of root-cause diagnosis and management
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Focuses equally on prevention and cure to improve quality of life.
- Helps identify and recommends foods for your body type and condition.
Complete holistic healing system in existence more than 3000 years.
Based on the concept of root-cause diagnosis and management
Focuses equally on prevention and cure to improve quality of life.
Helps identify and recommends foods for your body type and condition.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine has a history of at least several thousand years and uses mostly plants to treat diseases and promote health.
Can successfully treat many chronic and complex conditions.
- Clinically and scientifically proven to treat a wide range of complex conditions.
- Clinically and scientifically proven to treat a wide range of complex conditions.
- Helps boost your immune system naturally.
- Shown to reduce stress and relieve anxiety.
- Improves respiratory and cardiovascular function.
Clinically and scientifically proven to treat a wide range of complex conditions.
Safe and has relatively less side effects.
Helps boost your immune system naturally.
Shown to reduce stress and relieve anxiety.
Improves respiratory and cardiovascular function.
Therapeutic Yoga
It also adapts the practice of Yoga to the needs of people with specific health condition.
- Improves strength, balance and flexibility.
- Helps with chronic pain relief.
- Improves circulation and reduces blood pressure.
- Reduces stress and improves sleep.
- Improves respiratory and cardiovascular function.
Improves strength, balance and flexibility.
Helps with chronic pain relief.
Improves circulation and reduces blood pressure.
Reduces stress and improves sleep.