Are you troubled by persistent heartburn and stomach acid reflux? Don’t ignore it—these could be signs of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of GERD, its impact on your digestive system, and where to seek reliable GERD treatment in Singapore.
Getting heartburn or stomach acid reflux after eating normally happens, especially on a full stomach. What is concerning is when this happens more frequently and becomes a nuisance to your daily activities and interrupts your good night’s sleep. These frequent episodes may already be signs of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). If this is the first time that you have heard about this condition, read this article to know more and find out about where to get GERD treatment in Singapore.
Understanding the digestive system
Our body needs energy to be able to function properly. The food and drinks that we consume daily provide the carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins, and vitamins to our body and the gastrointestinal tract plays an important role for this to happen.
The digestive system is a complex web of interconnected organs that work to digest the food and drinks we take and convert them into nutrients that are circulated to every cell of the body. These nutrients fuel the body with energy to be able to do everyday tasks and, likewise, enables cellular growth and repair. It is also responsible for the removal of waste from the body after the food and drinks have been properly digested.
Two main parts with hollow organs make up the digestive system:
- Upper gastrointestinal tract
- Lower gastrointestinal tract
The upper gastrointestinal tract is composed of the following hollow organs:
- Mouth
- Oesophagus
- Lower esophageal sphincter
- Stomach
- Small intestine
The lower gastrointestinal tract is composed of the following hollow organs:
- Large intestine
- Anus
Aside from these organs, the digestive system also has solid organs:
- Liver
- Pancreas
- Gallbladder
Focus on the upper gastrointestinal tract
The upper GI tract’s primary function is to digest the food and convert it into nutrients for the body to use. A lot of things are involved when food is digested. We chew food in our mouths to fragment it into tiny pieces, making it easier for the upper GI tract to digest. The process starts with the saliva’s breaking down of food, its passage through the esophagus once swallowed, and reaching the stomach where full digestion happens.
The upper GI tract’s digestion time differs between each person. One meal alone takes about six to eight hours to be processed through the stomach and small intestine. Hence, it is not surprising when certain conditions and diseases affect the upper GI tract, especially when it is working non-stop. Symptoms that can indicate that your upper GI tract is experiencing problems are:
- Abdominal pain
- Acid reflux
- Burping
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Heartburn
- Upset stomach
A common health condition that many Singaporeans have concerning their upper GI is gastrointestinal reflux disease or GERD.
GERD: What is it and why does it happen?
Gastrointestinal reflux disorder is a medical condition that involves the dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a circular band of muscle that serves as the gatekeeper between the esophagus and stomach. It opens and allows swallowed food and liquid that travel from the mouth through the esophagus to enter the stomach as it opens. Once the food has reached the stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter closes tightly in order not to let the contents of the stomach spill back up into the esophagus.
The typical indications that a person may have GERD are:
- Acid indigestion (Heartburn) – This is characterized by a burning sensation felt in the chest, which flows upward and affects the neck and throat.
- Food regurgitation – This happens when the food and liquid that has reached the stomach backflows into the esophagus and the mouth, leaving a bitter or sour taste.
Other symptoms are:
- Bad breath
- Cough that never goes away
- A feeling of a lump stuck in the throat
- Hoarse voice
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
The main reasons why the lower esophageal sphincter is not working properly, which leads to GERD are:
- Alcohol
- Consuming large amounts of food
- Food and drink triggers
- Hiatal hernia
- Lifestyle
- Lying down immediately after eating
- Underlying health conditions and problems
Diagnosing GERD
Speaking with a medical specialist on gastrointestinal conditions and diseases about your symptoms will help determine if you have GERD. During your consultation, your doctor may ask you these questions:
- When does your heartburn happen?
- How often does it occur?
- What are the other symptoms that you experience?
- What are the circumstances around the time these symptoms occur?
- Do the symptoms affect your daily activities and sleep?
- Is there any food or drink that triggers the symptoms?
- Have you tried eliminating possible triggers to bring relief to your symptoms?
- Are there medications that you are taking to manage the symptoms?
Your doctor may prescribe medications as well as diet and lifestyle changes if your symptoms do not indicate chronic gastroesophageal disease. However, if these are not able to improve your situation or if your symptoms are already severe, there are certain tests that you may be asked to undergo for the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis of your condition. These are the tests that are usually required to check for possible GERD:
- Bravo wireless esophageal pH monitoring
- Esophageal manometry
- Esophageal pH impedance monitoring
- Upper gastrointestinal GI endoscopy and biopsy
- Upper GI series
Treating GERD
The treatment plan for GERD will depend on the severity of the condition. Oftentimes, GERD can be addressed by medications that are bought over the counter. Stronger medicines are also prescribed if the OTC medications fail to provide relief. The usual prescriptions given by doctors are:
- Antacids
- Baclofen
- Erythromycin
- H-2 Receptor blockers
- Proton pump inhibitors
If GERD continues to be chronic and worsens over time, your doctor may recommend surgical procedures to treat your condition. It may either be any of the following procedures:
- Endoscopic procedures
- Fundoplication
Endoscopic procedures – This involves tightening the lower esophageal sphincter using sutures or radiofrequency, which makes use of heat that helps in strengthening and toughening the loose band of muscle around the end of the esophagus.
Fundoplication – This procedure involves using a suture to place pressure on the esophagus’ lower end by sewing the area located at the top of the stomach.
A person suffering from GERD symptoms must get treatment as leaving this condition may progress into other health concerns, such as:
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Benign esophageal stricture
- Esophagitis
Barrett’s esophagus can lead to cancer (esophageal adenocarcinoma).
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the complexities of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is crucial for timely intervention. If you or someone you know experiences symptoms, seeking professional GERD treatment, such as that offered by Alpine Surgical Practice in Singapore, can make a significant difference. Don’t let GERD jeopardize your well-being—take the first step towards relief today.
Alpine Surgical Practice in Singapore specializes in treating GERD. Reach out to them if you suspect that you may have symptoms that can lead to this disorder.
Alpine Surgical Practice // 3 Mount Elizabeth #17-16 // Singapore 228510 // +65 6589 8927
