GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX AND INDIGESTION

What is gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)?
 

Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back regularly or periodically into the esophagus. Common symptoms of the disease include heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting. 
 

If patients do not have early treatment, the disease can lead to ulcer, narrow esophagus, even cancer. Esophageal fibrosis makes swallowing difficult. In some cases, laryngitis, sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, chronic pneumonia recurring from time to time can be a result of gastroesophageal reflux. 
 

What is indigestion?
 

This is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the epigastric region, accompanied with dyspepsia, nausea, flatulence, early satiety, decreased appetite. In addition, patients may have heartburn, pain at the back of breast bone...
 

Indigestion does not have clear causes. In only about 40% of cases, causes are identified including intolerance of foods, spices, stimulants, drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, iron, kalium, high dose of vitamin c… 30% of patients with indigestion have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
 

In most cases, indigestion does not cause complications but it can affect your quality of life. 
 

1. Methods for clinical diagnosis 
 

•GerdQ questionnaire
 

•PPI trial for gastroesophageal reflux that has no risk. 

 

2. Methods for paraclinical diagnosis 
 

•Scanning esophagus with radiocontrast agent
 

•Scintigraphy
 

•Bernstein test
 

•Endoscopy
 

•Esophageal pH test
 

•Multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII – pH). 

 

Methods for treating gastroesophageal reflux and indigestion depend on how severe the patient’s status is. 
 

Below are some treatment methods:
 

* Changing lifestyle:
 

- Stop smoking
 

-Stop alcoholic beverages
 

-Reduce greasy foods
 

-Don't overeat
 

-Lose weight if patients are obese
 

-Elevate bed legs
 

-Avoid or minimize sleeping bills, calcium chanel blockers, Anticholinergics, Theophylin, Diazepam. 

 

* Medication:
 

Doctors prescribe suitable medications based on causes. Especially, patients need to take proper dosage of medication with proper schedule to minimize the possibility of recurrence. 
 

* Surgery:
 

Patients need to see doctors for consultation if their gastroesophageal reflux disease is severe and long-lasting (persistent). 

 

The Gastroenterology - Hepatology Department of American International Hospital (AIH) offers a full range of testing, diagnosis and treatment  services for gastrointestinal diseases.