Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Neural Academy
Neural Academy
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Published 2020-12-06
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD or acid reflux, is a chronic condition in which stomach contents rise and enter the esophagus. This occurs due to problems with closure of the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, which is the junction between the stomach and esophagus. The most common symptoms are a burning sensation in the chest called heartburn, regurgitation, and an acidic taste in the back of the mouth. Heartburn typically occurs after eating and may worsen at night. Less commonly, people may experience dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can manifest as pain when swallowing, a sore throat, choking, coughing, gurgling or regurgitating food or stomach acids, feeling that food is stuck behind your breastbone, a burning sensation behind your breastbone, and hoarseness. There may also be nausea, frequent burping, chest pain, the sensation of a lump in your throat, wearing away of teeth, and bad breath. GERD can cause a recurrent cough, breathing difficulties, chest congestion, and lung inflammation leading to asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Complications that can occur from it include esophagitis, or inflammation of esophagus, esophageal stricture, in which scar tissue develops and narrows the esophagus, and Barrett’s esophagus, in which the lining of the esophagus comes to resemble tissue that lines the intestines – which can lead to cancer.
Risk factors for GERD include obesity, pregnancy, smoking, and certain medications. Hence, treatments include lifestyle changes such as losing weight and quitting smoking. Other lifestyle changes include eating several small meals a day instead of 3 big meals, avoiding food resulting in symptoms, not lying down 2-3 hours after eating, and raising the head of the bed. Foods that can exacerbate GERD symptoms include spicy, fatty, or fried foods, garlic, onions, citrus fruits, tomatoes, caffeine, and fizzy drinks.
There are also medications that can be used to treat GERD symptoms. These include proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, and histamine-2 (or H2) receptor blockers, both of which reduce stomach acid production. There are also prokinetics, which cause the stomach to empty more quickly, antacids, which neutralize acid in the stomach, and medications that strengthen the LES.
Some people still have symptoms interfering with their quality of life despite lifestyle changes and taking medication. Still others wish to avoid taking medication long-term. In such cases, surgeries can be performed to reinforce and strengthen the LES. The most common of these is Nissan fundoplication. In this surgery, the stomach’s fundus is wrapped around the LES. During a total fundoplication, the fundus is wrapped 360 degrees around. In a partial fundoplication, the fundus is not wrapped completely around the stomach. Some people with GERD may have a hiatal hernia, which is when part of the stomach slips through the diaphragm into the middle compartment of the chest. If a hiatal hernia is present, that is also fixed during the surgery.
Asthma and GERD frequently occur together. The reason is not certain, but it is believed that acid flowing from the stomach injures the throat lining, airways, and lungs. Another potential cause could be that when acid enters the esophagus, a nerve reflex kicks in and constricts airways to keep acid out. This can result in shortness of breath.
All Comments (21)
  • @pidhsome
    This is the shortest but most informative video regarding GERD i have ever seen, amazing job.
  • @NeuralAcademy
    It's been a long time since I posted a video... that's because a few weeks ago I developed severe symptoms of GERD. I went to the ER 4 times because of it. I was having a lot of difficulty breathing and chest pain after eating, drinking, and lying down. At first, I thought I had COVID, but got 2 negative test results. Once the doctors figured out what was going on, I got medication and needed to make lifestyle changes. I felt much better right away! I'm still continue to recover, but in the midst of everything, I did an enormous amount of research into GERD, so I thought why not make a video about it? - Viola
  • @leegaihn4263
    Avoiding stress. Idk bro but stress does not want to leave me. I've tried my best
  • @freeradical_v
    Crazy. I’ve been suffering of this all my life and have most of the symptoms. Thank you very much for this eye-opening video.
  • @kinas1027
    I've got chronic GERD, running 19 years now since birth. 2-300 acid burps/reflux per day, constant sore throat etc. I experience almost all of these symptoms and it is a living hell. Good luck to my fellow acid spitters.
  • @anandkulkarni4445
    Just amazing. Great vedio in such short time. Exactly what a medical student needs right before exams
  • @debbiec6216
    I also know 2 people who died from Esophageal Cancer , just days apart. It's very scary and my heart goes out for Everyone who has any of this . There are good videos on Youtube and explains about this . Just like the video on here . YOu have to get that LES TAKEN CARE OF ASAP.
  • @Lesleyallisonwalker
    If you have GERD also watch out for some medications that tend to be caustic. I went on an antibiotic that caused a chemical esophageal burn and ended me up in the hospital for a week. Certain meds require being upright for a few hours to avoid burns in peeps with these type of issues.
  • @sharairosas6859
    GERD IS THE WORST THING EVER !😭 I JUST WANT TO BE NORMAL AGAIN! IM VERY SCARED I WAS DOJNG FINE BUT I GUESS I BROKE DIET AND WENT BACK INTO THIS BAD SYMPTOMS LIKE TROUBLE SWALLOWING & BREATHING PROBLEMS THAT TRIGGER PANICK ATTACKS ! 😫😭
  • @aryanasmith4426
    Thanks for sharing such a video. Much needed. It was so convincing. Nice work.
  • @dat_hobo_mf6852
    You dont know how helpful this video is. Started having symptoms abount 5-6 months ago and thought my smoking habit had finally caught up to me. stopped the smoking and didnt get any better. trying to make lifestyle changes now as ive been having trouble breathing the past week or so. Thank you very much for your informative explanation
  • @user-ez6to5ze2k
    loved the video , was short but concise. Exactly what I needed.
  • @RichardRecupero
    If you have questions about any of this you can ask me here.
  • @strawbraryliberry4604
    This was a very informative video! I've had GERD from a weak LES my entire life, and I've looked into it a lot. I actually learned a few things I wasn't aware if in terms of medications & treatments here! As well as why it causes shortness of breath.
  • @grateful1929
    Also you presented this very well. Very easy to understand. Thank you
  • @marcoroberts5347
    Going through this right now. College stress seems to play a pretty big role since my symptoms seemed to be getting better over a week-long fall break but are coming back as school restarts.
  • @dpedits1901
    Hi I'm david 23.. I have acid reflux like 8 months the first thing change my life on sep 2021 i had a panic attack and my dad take me to hospital and they say nothing to worry just need to do some physical activity. Then the second attack was on November at midnight i thought i going to die i was on work and i call my dad again we went to hospital the doc suggest us to take echo. After the results came everything was fine in results... But till now I'm Having this issue.. I'm missing my old me.. Bcoz i lost my job.. I lost my happiness.. I'm the person who makes other's laugh.. But now i lost my smile though..I'm 23 and I'm depressed of thinking like what's going to happen next.. Every minute is a hell for me.. I can feel the situation of every people who are all having this GERD.. I hope we'll get through this and be fine.. God bless us.. Thank you. PS : I don't drink and i don't smoke.. But still this thing got me.. Guys give me some suggestion what to do..