Signs and Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - Essay Example

?Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Introduction Gastro esophageal reflux disease also known as acid reflux disease or just asGERD is a lifestyle disease and always a long-lasting symptom of mucosal damage. The extensive damage of the mucus lining of the esophagus results from production of an excessive acid by the stomach most of which move backward to the esophagus. Whenever such movements of stomach acids likes the hydrochloric acid that help in the digestion of food leaks from the stomach back to the esophagus, the mucus lining of the wall prevent them from corroding the esophagus. Additionally, such backward movement of stomach and intestinal acids are rare since the digestion system has a mechanism of enclosing both the stomach and the intestines thus preventing such occurrences. However, in the rare cases that such movements occur repeatedly, the acid progressively corrode the mucus lining thus exposing the esophagus to the harsh chemicals. As a result, the acids corrode the skin covering the esophagus thus causing the Gastro esophageal reflux disease. Signs and symptoms GERD is prevalent in both adults and children alike. Often caused by the malfunction of the digestive track among other respiratory complication, the disease is prevalent on diverse patient groups. Among its most prevalent symptoms, include heartburn. Heartburn is an intensive burning sensation that one feels on the chest and often signifies the release of stomach acids back into the respiratory tract thus causing the corrosion. While mild heartburns occur from sporadically owing to minor digestive malfunctions, extensive heartburns signify extensive destruction of the esophagus. Additionally, regurgitation is a potential symptom of the disease. Regurgitation refers to the persistent expulsion of food from the stomach back into the esophagus involuntarily. Persistent regurgitation signifies the destruction of the valve that closes the stomach thus making one susceptible to GERD. Another potential symptom is difficulty in swallowing. Effective observation of the above diseases in adults may lead to the successful diagnosis of GERD since they are the obvious effects of the destruction of the esophagus. Diagnosing the disease in children and infants is however more complicated since children exhibit communication difficulties and may not always describe their feelings effectively. However, the symptoms of the disease in both children and infants range from the adult symptoms discussed above but may also include recurrent vomiting, coughing and effortless spitting. Additionally, children and infants would cry a lot owing to the constant pain caused by the burning sensation of their chests. Furthermore, children and infants would also exhibit such respiratory difficulties as whizzing. Children refuse food, may have bad breath and belch constantly. No symptom among children is considered universally applicable and an indicator of the disease since children may exhibit some of the symptoms because of other diseases. The depiction of multiple of such symptoms should however indicate a possibility of excessive acid leaks back into the chest cavity. Causes As discussed earlier, GERD is caused by the leak of stomach acid back into the esophagus thus causing the corrosion of both the mucus lining and the inner skin of the esophagus. Such constant leaks of the stomach acids portray the failure of the stomach enclosing mechanisms. The stomach has strategic valves that help close it thus preventing such leaks from occurring. Among such valves is the lower esophageal sphincter. The angle of entry of the esophagus into the stomach creates a valve like structure that helps prevent the stomach acids, bile and enzymes from flowing back into the esophagus. The valves work naturally and effectively thus preventing such diseases as GERD. However, several lifestyle factors may result in the destruction of the valves thus heightening the occurrence of GERD among other complications. The destruction of the lower esophageal sphincter makes one susceptible to the unregulated flow of acids among other stomach contents into the esophagus. This explains the persistent heartburns and regurgitations. Such are indications of digestive malfunction. The stomach has a thick mucus lining that helps cushion the stomach walls from such harsh acids. The mucus constantly replenishes themselves thus providing the stomach with reliable protection from the acids. Furthermore, the stomach is designed to contain such substances, during digestions the acids readily neutralize with other alkaline in the stomach thus limiting the effects of the acids. However, thy at times corrode the acid and contact the stomach walls thus causing ulcers. The factors that contribute to the occurrence of GERG in people include obesity, the increase in the body mass makes one ore susceptible to the condition since the body mass may change the angling of the valve thus resulting in malefactions. Hyperkalemia and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are yet other potential factors that cause GERD since it causes an increase in the production of gastrin, which leads to increased acidity in the stomach. Such easily leak back into the esophagus. Hiatal hernia is yet another factor that contributes to the susceptibility of the disease owing to its motility and mechanical features most of which fasten the production of the stomach acids. Systematic sclerosis and scleroderma also feature esophageal immobility thus increasing the likelihood of the condition. A change in such conditions would therefore prevent or reduce the chances of the prevalence of the condition in humans (Chandrasoma & DeMeester, 2006). Diagnosis Diagnosis refers to the study of the above-discussed symptoms in order to determine the prevalent of the disease in a patient. The process is simple in adults who easily describe their conditions to a patient for observation. With the effective description of the symptoms, it becomes easier to determine the disease and its prevalence in a patient. However, doctors would always carry out other extensive studies of the patients in order to determine the nature of the attack and the level of damage before prescribing any treatment. Such detailed studies may include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), esophageal pH monitoring and endoscopy. Endoscopy refers to the inspection of both the esophagus and the stomach with the help of fiber optic cables. Such investigations provide visual aids thus helping establish the nature and extent of the damage of both the valves and the esophagus walls. Treatment The treatment of the condition is both medication and a change in lifestyle. As explained earlier, several lifestyle factors contribute to the susceptibility of the disease. A change from such would therefore reduce the likelihood of the prevalence of the condition in humans. Some foods have more acidic content and facilitate the release of more acid into the esophagus. It is also advisable to reduce intake of alcohol. It is advisable to avoid such. The medical treatment for the disease includes the use of proton pump inhibitors antacids and H2 receptor blockers. Reference Chandrasoma, P., & DeMeester, T. R. (2006). GERD: Reflux to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Amsterdam: Elsevier / AP. Read More