Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - Essay Example

'Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease' is an outstanding example of a paper on the gastrointestinal system. 
Gastroesophageal reflux disease in autistic individuals is very common. The only problem is the communication from the autistic individual to the same effect of the disease process. Surprisingly, the gastroesophageal reflux symptom can exacerbate the autistic spectrum disease (ASD).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be congenital or develop in the course of living. It is defined by the movement of gastric content into the upper system of the gastrointestinal system. The gastric content contains an acidic substance that is corrosive. The following is the manifestation of following reflux of acidic substance content on the esophagus and its relations.

According to research conducted by Buie et al. (pg. 23), Hoarseness of the voice is one of the classic symptoms in autistic children. The autistic child will have a very heavy and hoarse voice. The voice is as a result of acid reflux past the esophageal zone. The acid gets to the pharynx and to the vocal cords that regulate the voice of an autistic child. Once the voice starts being horse it should be one of the symptoms to be considered.

A chronic dry cough is another manifestation common in gastroesophageal reflux disease in autistic children. According to Levy et al., (pg. 497), chronic dry cough manifestation is also classic in autistic since they have difficulty in communication. The dry cough is common during nights. The pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease-causing dry cough is not well understood. However, it is attributed to constant irritation by the acid on the esophagus.

In addition, a sudden increase in saliva is an indication that the autistic child has a gastroesophageal disease. The saliva, in turn, exacerbates the autistic problem in children hindering communication. The refluxed acid is the one that increases the stimulation of the salivary gland. Consequently, saliva increases and in most cases, it is sudden.

Causes of Gastrointestinal Problems in Autistic Individuals

In most cases, food can be the most effective medicine in treating the gastrointestinal problem in autistic children. Such effectiveness is a result of the ability of dietary factors to shape the environment for the proliferation of both beneficial and pathogenic bacteria. Diarrhea is the commonest of gastrointestinal disease among autistic individuals. It may be as a consequence of dietary or microorganism insult on the gastrointestinal track system. Regardless of whether its genesis is a microorganism or any other substances is the cause; food can be a remedy to the problem. Intake of enough vegetables with enough fibers can of much help to the autistic child (Pang & Croaker, pg. 355).

Food rich in fiber reduces bowel movement hence increasing water absorption that if not reabsorbed adequately can result in diarrhea. In addition, intake of prebiotics can shape the flora of the gastrointestinal tract that can help fight the diarrhea-causing microorganism.
Some of the microorganism causes proliferation of gastrointestinal tract system that can result in inflammatory bowel disease. Such pathogenic bacteria can be regulated by the intake of specific food that introduces a group of friendly bacteria in the gastrointestinal system that in return compete with the pathogenic bacteria that if they colonize the system in isolation they can cause inflammatory bowel disease (Molloy & Manning, pg. 73).

Some of the food products such as animal products provide nutrients such as essential fatty acids and vitamins A and D support innate immunity and are required for the balance of T regulatory and T helper cells. In return, they fight harmful microorganisms that may cause inflammatory bowel disease.