GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. This can be due to incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter, transient LES relaxation, impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus, or association with a hiatal hernia.

Heartburn is the major symptom of acid in the esophagus, characterized by a burning discomfort behind the breastbone. Findings in GERD include esophagitis strictures, difficulty swallowing, and chronic chest pain. Patients may have only one of those findings. Typical symptoms of GERD include cough, hoarseness, changes of the voice, chronic ear ache, acute sharp chest pains, nausea or sinusitis. Complicatons of GERD include stricture formation, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal ulcers and possibly even lead to esophageal cancer, especially in adults over 60 years old.

In adults, a slouched posture is one of the important contributory factors to GERD. Muscles around the esophagus go in a spasm and there is no straight path between the stomach and esophagus with a slouched posture. Cough, gas and acidity get blocked in the spasms. Thus, causing asthma kind symptoms. In short, the pathway between the stomach and esophagus gets blocked by the spasms and shortening of the muscles in and around the area, which is caused by a slouched posture. A meta-analysis suggested that elevating the head of bed at night is an effective therapy, although this conclusion was only supported by nonrandomized studies.

...More at Wikipedia

Related Links:

• International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

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