The etiology of GERD is
multifactorial, before we look into the causes of
GERD, let us understand what GERD is. GERD which
is referred to as Gastroesophageal Reflux disease
is a very common gastrointestinal problem suffered
by most of the people in
United States
. The term
GERD is actually used to describe the tissue
damage or symptomatic conditions that result from
the reflux of gastric contents in the esophagus.
It has also been found that more than 40 percent
of the American people face symptoms of GERD every
month that grows to nearly 10 percent of the
population that experiences GERD symptoms daily.
There are various symptoms that help you detect
etiology of GERD.
Symptoms
It is important that one understands the
difference between GERD symptoms and etiology of
GERD. Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms
of GERD. Heartburn also called as pyrosis is
experienced like a retrosternal discomfort burning
which is more commonly after meals and during
supine. This is also caused by acid stimulation of
the sensory nerve endings that are at the deeper
layers of esophageal epithelium.
Regurgitation is also among the most common
symptoms of GERD. This is basically effortless
return of esophageal or gastric fluid in the
pharynx including retching, nausea and abdominal
conditions. This symptom is often experienced
during night when the patient is sleeping. This
often results in sudden awakening of the patient
with hot fluid in the throat which is described as
water brash. This is also associated with
chocking, coughing and shortness of breath because
of objective of the regurgitated fluids.
Regurgitations can also occur the patient takes a
large meal, when exercising or when stooping
over.
Dysphagia is also another type of symptom
of GERD which mainly occurs in very less people
suffering with GERD. This can be caused due to a
Schatzki ring, peptic stricture and peristattic
dysfunction. Apart from this there are also
various other symptoms that describe GERD as the
patient might experience wheezing, chest pain,
dental caries, globus, choking, chronic cough and
hoarseness.
Although, there are several cures for GERD,
most of these only provide temporary relief from
the symptoms, thus, it is better to adopt a
holistic approach and treat the causes that
contribute to GERD.
Pathophysiology
The etiology of GERD is basically
multifactorial and this can be caused due to the
failure of one or more inherent anti-reflux
mechanisms which is more often at the lower
esophageal segment at the function of gastric
reservoir and at the function of the esophageal
body. Although the esophagus is capable of
clearing acid in a normal way with the stomach
that is able to empty it normally there is a weak
defective LES which is found to be the major
effects of GERD on the body.
Etiology of GERD can be attributed to both
the stress levels that one faces and the food one
eats. Thus, the etiology of GERD is both related
to the lifestyle and diet of
individuals.
If one eats food stuff that has a high
amount of acidic content, the acidic content in
the stomach also rises. This creates a pressure in
the stomach, which causes the Lower Esophageal
sphincter between the esophagus and stomach to
open. Now it is this LES that keeps the contents
of the stomach in the stomach. As a result of the
loss of control of the LES due to GERD, the acid
from the stomach move up into the esophagus and
results in a burning sensation in the chest and
several other symptoms.
The rise in the acidic content in the
stomach could also be because of the stress
levels. Thus, there are several factors that cause
GERD. Just like the etiology GERD, there are
several cures for GERD. However, to get permanent
relief from GERD, it is recommended that you adopt
the all natural holistic approach of treatment
that is able to treat the root causes of
GERD.
