GERD… Gastroesophageal… WHAAA??
Well In my previous story about “GERD” (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) I told you about my journey to finding out I was blessed with this and actually being diagnosed. Now I am going to tell you what GERD is and what I will be doing, and what you SHOULD be doing upon being diagnosed with GERD.
Gastroesophageal Refulx Disease, Also known as (GERD).. What an endearing name for something so awful… is a known and very common condition that occurs in people when food or liquid that has been ingested comes back up or leaks into the esophagus from the stomach. The most common and known symptom is heartburn.
Symptoms Of GERD:
Most Common Symptoms Include:
- Feeling Like food is stuck In your esophagus
- Bad Heartburn that is increased by or More pronounced by: Laying Down, bending and/or eating, Relieved by Antacids, or at night time.
- Nausea/vomiting after eating
Symptoms that are less common include:
- Regurgitation of food (Food coming back up)
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Coughing
- Frequent Hiccups
- Sore Throat
- Horseness when speaking
Upon being diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Refulx Disease (GERD) you need to evaluate your lifestyle. A lot can be helped with a change in your habits and diet. Avoid foods that you are aware cause you distress, journal what you are eating and any symptoms experienced to make it easier to pin point your problem foods. Quit smoking, Limit your Alcohol consumption as well as your coffee intake and of course see your Doctor to see what medications they can prescribe you to help control the problem.
Complications That Can Result From GERD:
- Esophageal Ulcer
- Asthma
- Stricture (The esophagus Narrows due to scarring)
- Dental Issues
- Irritation or spasms of Airways because of Acid (aka: Bronchospasm)
- A Change in the Esophagus Lining that can Cause Cancer
If you have any symptoms of GERD please see your Doctor untreated this can cause more serious problems.
*I am in no way a medical professional and this is not to be used as a diagnostic tool or medical advice.
[…] was ulcerated due to excess stomach acid and blah blah, leading him to believe and diagnose me with GERD. (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) Yahoo! Anyways, he gave me a medication to slow my production of stomach acid and booked me another […]
My oldest daughter, now 6, had extreme GERD from age 1 -4. She puked 13 times a day. We had a special GERD bed made for her and spent a lot of time in the hospital. She had ulcers in her esophagus and was in pain a lot. Good luck! P.S. if you know of any child who needs a GERD bed, I will donate mine (paid over $700).
Oh, dear! My Mom has this! She was the first person I knew who had it! Poor her! 🙁 I feel badly for thinking it was all in her head. I couldn’t understand why she would gag, dry heave, and puke when she ate. It was so gross! Now I feel awful!!! 🙁 Thanks for sharing this post. It’s helped me understand more. Ack! I feel awful! Hope you feel better and that you won’t have to experience this any longer! xoxoxo