Reflux Gastroesophageal

Gastroesophageal reflux: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a digestive disorder in which stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. This phenomenon occurs due to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is supposed to prevent the backflow of the food bolus.

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux may include a bitter taste in the mouth, heartburn, chest pressure and pain, nausea and vomiting, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), cough and voice changes. If the disease lasts for a long time, complications can occur, such as esophageal ulcers, esophageal stenosis, bleeding, and even esophageal cancer.

To diagnose gastroesophageal reflux, various methods are used, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), fluoroscopy, manometry and pH-metry. Moreover, the first method is the most accurate and allows you to detect complications of the disease.

Treatment for gastroesophageal reflux may include lifestyle changes (eg, quitting smoking and alcohol, losing weight), medications (eg, proton pump inhibitors or antacids), and, in rare cases, surgery. The choice of treatment method depends on the severity of the disease and the presence of complications.

Overall, gastroesophageal reflux is a common condition that can lead to serious complications if treated incorrectly or not treated at all. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor if appropriate symptoms appear and follow his recommendations for the treatment and prevention of this disease.

**Reflux esophagitis (GERD)** is a condition in which acidic contents from the stomach reflux into the esophagus, leading to inflammation of the esophagus. With prolonged irritation, degeneration of the epithelium occurs, leading to the formation of ulcers. The main symptoms of GERD are heartburn, belching, pain in the epigastrium and behind the sternum after eating, a feeling of fullness in the stomach and difficulty passing food through it. Because pepsin and hydrochloric acid enter the esophagus and cardia (lower esophageal sphincter), they irritate this area and the lining of the esophagus, which can lead to discomfort and a burning sensation in the throat, coughing up food, and even the development of swelling (giant cell disease of the esophageal papillae). In essence, reflux contributes to the formation of ulcers in the cardiac region of the stomach. In the final phase of the disease, perforation of the ulcer occurs, as a result of which the abdominal cavity can fill with the stomach. If such processes occur regularly, death is possible. It should be noted that the incidence rate of GEBD continues to grow. Moreover, 80% of such patients are people under 40 years of age, and 50% of those examined live in a large city or metropolis with a poor environment. The development of this condition occurs 9 times more often in female applicants, and the reason for this phenomenon lies in pregnancy and labor. The growing belly becomes large for the uterus and causes discomfort, which leads to improper functioning of the stomach muscles and increased pressure in the abdominal cavity. Fortunately, this problem is solvable. Modern medical methods, including endoscopy, make it possible to diagnose GER-R and prescribe treatment long before complications develop. Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid a dangerous transition to a chronic form of the disease.