GERD - Is the Damage Reversible?

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Acid reflux occurs when substances from the stomach move up the esophagus. It is also known as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease, reflux esophagitis. If you have acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week, you may have a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Acid reflux can cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest that can spread to the neck. This sensation is often referred to as heartburn.
If you have acid reflux, you may develop a sour or bitter taste in the back of your mouth. It can also cause you to regurgitate food or liquid from your stomach into your mouth.
In some cases, GERD can cause difficulty swallowing. Sometimes it can lead to breathing problems, such as a chronic cough or asthma.

The lower esophageal sphincter (lower esophageal sphincter) is a circular band of muscle at the end of your esophagus. The sphincter relaxes and opens when you swallow, then it tightens and closes.
Acid reflux occurs when your lower esophageal sphincter doesn't tighten or close properly. This allows digestive juices and other substances from the stomach to back up into the esophagus.

Studies have shown that at least 4 out of 10 people in the United States experience heartburn one or more times per week. Such a frequency may indicate GERD. You may also be diagnosed with silent GERD, known as asymptomatic esophageal disease.
Whether you have symptoms or not, your doctor can recommend lifestyle treatments in addition to medication to improve the health of your esophagus. Lifestyle treatment may include avoiding certain foods that may worsen their symptoms.
For some people, heartburn symptoms can be triggered by certain foods. Certain substances can irritate the esophagus or weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (lower esophageal sphincter). A weakened lower esophageal sphincter can lead to backflow of stomach contents - and cause acid reflux. Triggers may include:
Alcohol Caffeinated products, such as coffee, soda and tea Chocolates Citrus fruits Garlic High-fat foods Onions Mint Spicy foods You can try term Limit both coffee and tea if you have GERD and see if your symptoms improve. Both can cause relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. But not every food and drink affects everyone in the same way.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that affects nearly 20 percent of American adults. People with GERD spend billions on over-the-counter and prescription medications to combat painful heartburn.
While most people experience heartburn from time to time, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD is a chronic condition with symptoms that can occur on a daily basis. It can cause serious complications over time if left untreated. But can treating it reverse or at least reduce the damage caused by GERD?
Complications Complications of GERD can include: Barrett's esophagus Erosive esophagitis Esophageal stricture, which is a narrowing of the esophagus Oral disease An asthma flare-up GERD symptoms can be severe , especially in the elderly. These can include a severely inflamed esophagus and difficulty swallowing.
Barrett's esophagus Barrett's esophagus tends to occur more commonly in people with GERD.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, only a small percentage of people with GERD develop Barrett's esophagus. The average age for diagnosis is 55 and it is more common in men.
People with Barrett's esophagus have an increased risk of esophageal cancer because the lining of the esophagus is damaged.
Risk factors for Barrett's esophagus include severe and chronic GERD, obesity, smoking, and eating a lot of foods and drinks that cause GERD.
Erosive esophagitis Irritation and inflammation from acid can damage the esophagus over time, creating a condition known as erosive esophagitis. Obese people, especially obese Caucasian men, have the highest risk of developing erosive esophagitis.
Some people have bleeding conditions. This can be seen in dark stools, as well as vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds.
Sores in the esophagus can cause long-term or severe bleeding, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. This is a serious condition that requires immediate attention and ongoing care.
Esophageal stricture The esophagus can become severely damaged and inflamed over time. This can lead to scarring and the development of a narrow, band-like area in the esophagus known as esophageal stricture. Esophageal stricture can lead to dysphagia. Excessive stenosis usually requires endoscopic or surgical dilation.
Dental disease Tooth enamel can be eroded by acid reflux into the mouth. People with significant GERD also have more gum disease, tooth loss, and stomatitis, possibly due to ineffective salivary secretion.

Asthma flare-ups GERD and asthma often occur together. The reflux of acid into the esophagus can trigger an immune response, making the airways more susceptible to irritation. Small amounts of acid can also end up in the mouth and then be inhaled. This also causes inflammation and irritation of the airways. These processes can trigger asthma flare-ups and make asthma harder to control.
Certain asthma medications and asthma attacks can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making GERD symptoms worse in some people.
People with GERD are at increased risk for other respiratory and throat diseases, including:
Chronic laryngitis Chronic cough Granulomatous, including inflamed pink bumps on the vocal cords Hoarse voice and difficulty speaking Aspiration pneumonia (often relapsing and severe) Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a restrictive lung disease where lung scarring occurs Sleep disturbance Persistent clear throat Reversing reflux esophagitis Some people have GERD with mild symptoms can be successfully treated with lifestyle changes, such as:
Quit smoking Lose weight Eat smaller portions of meals Stand upright for several hours after meals Also, Avoiding certain foods that trigger GERD symptoms can provide relief. These foods may include:
Alcohol Citrus fruits Caffeine Coffee Cola and other carbonated beverages Chocolate Fried and fatty foods Garlic Onions Mint Tomato sauce In milder cases of GERD, Lifestyle changes can allow the body to heal itself. This reduces the risk of long-term damage to the esophagus, throat or teeth.
However, sometimes lifestyle changes are not enough. More severe cases of GERD can often be treated and controlled with medications such as:
Antacids H2-histamine receptor antagonists, called H2 blockers, such as famotidine (Pepcid) or cimetidine (Tagamet) Proton pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) Buy antacids. Surgery can be an effective treatment for GERD that is difficult to control in people who have not responded to other treatments. Once GERD symptoms are adequately controlled, there is less risk of further damage to the esophagus, throat, or teeth.

While GERD can be a serious disturbance to your lifestyle, it doesn't necessarily affect your life expectancy. People who can effectively manage their symptoms have a healthier and better quality of life.
Some therapies may be more effective for some people than others. Your doctor can help you find the most effective way to treat GERD to reduce your risk of related complications.