Chronic Reflux Disease
Chronic reflux disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a serious condition. This condition occurs when the sphincter muscle in the esophagus lets the stomach acid go the wrong way--back up the esophagus and into the throat. This can feel like a burning starting behind the breastbone, then working its way up the throat. There may even be a sour taste in the back of the mouth as the acid enters the oral cavity.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms of chronic reflux disease include heartburn (acid indigestion) two or more times a week, wheezing, coughing, burning in the chest and continuous burping. Lying down after eating tends to make reflux worse. Spicy, greasy and fatty foods aggravate symptoms. Chocolate, peppermint, carbonated drinks, caffeinated drinks, tomato-based products, mustard, vinegar and anything with citrus can cause reflux symptoms as well.
Tests
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Sometimes just describing the symptoms to a doctor will lead to a diagnosis. There are tests that a care provider can use to confirm this diagnosis too. An upper GI series tracks the esophagus to the stomach. For this test, the patient swallows a liquid mixture, and a radiologist then uses a fluoroscope to track the liquid's trail. An endoscopy test involves a lighted tube being passed down the esophagus and into the stomach to look for damage. An esophageal manometry test involves inserting a tube into the stomach, where it is left for up to 24 hours so as to observe the pressure of the sphincter and the amount of acid in the esophagus.
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Prevention of Symptoms
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Lifestyle changes need to be undertaken in order to treat reflux disease. Diet changes are required. Avoid reflux trigger foods and eat smaller meals. Do not lie down or go to bed right after eating. Sleep with your head and shoulders propped up. If you are overweight, lose the excess weight. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol to ease reflux as well.
Medications
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Antacids, which lower acid amounts within the stomach, can be a short-term fix. For a long-term fix, H2-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors are prescribed. These medications help to reduce stomach acid and promote healing of the esophagus.
Warnings
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If left untreated, chronic reflux disease can cause severe chest pains that mimic a heart attack. It can cause dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing food and liquids. Reflux can cause blood in bowel movements or in vomit. Choking can occur when the acid in the windpipe causes severe shortness of breath. Chronic reflux disease can even end in esophageal cancer.
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