Symptoms of GERD
The main sign of GERD is acid reflux. In acid reflux, stomach acid and food contents travel back up into the oesophagus or your food pipe, causing a burning sensation in your chest (heartburn) and a sour and unpleasant taste in your mouth.
This happens because the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), the circular muscle that closes your stomach and connects it with the oesophagus, doesn’t work properly.
Normally, the LOS closes after you eat and keeps food contents down, but in acid reflux, the LOS is too loose and doesn’t close properly, causing stomach acid to travel back up.
Everyone gets heartburn or acid reflux occasionally, but if it keeps happening, it may be a sign of GERD.
Other GERD symptoms may include:
- A chronic cough
- Recurring hiccups
- A hoarse voice
- Bad breath
- Feeling bloated
- Feeling sick
- Trouble swallowing
Possible GERD complications
For most people, heartburn goes away or is mildly inconvenient. But, if acid reflux persists, it may irritate your oesophagus, leading to GERD.
If left untreated, GERD can cause inflammation and erosion of the oesophagus, where ulcers may develop. Another possible complication is Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition that slightly raises the risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus.
See your healthcare professional if you have heartburn on most days, your heartburn won’t go away, over-the-counter medications haven’t helped, or if you frequently feel sick.
Diagnosing GERD
If your symptoms don’t improve with lifestyle changes or medication, your doctor may recommend some tests. For an accurate GERD diagnosis, they may perform something called pH monitoring, a procedure that measures how much acid travels back up your oesophagus over a 24-hour period.Your doctor may also recommend an endoscopy to check your oesophagus for signs of GERD or to rule out something more serious.
Causes of GERD
There are a large number of factors that can contribute towards GERD. Some of the factors that trigger it, raise the risk, or make the symptoms worse include:
- Certain trigger foods, like chocolate, spicy foods, or citrus fruit
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Pregnancy
- Obesity or overweight
- Eating high-fat foods
- Eating late at night
- Stress and anxiety
There may also be other GERD causes, like a hiatal hernia, that your physician will help identify or rule out.
Can GERD be Cured?
While GERD can’t be cured in the strict sense of the word, treatment options can help you live symptom-free, depending on how severe your condition is.
Heartburn and GERD can be treated with lifestyle changes, home remedies, and some medication.
If you keep experiencing GERD symptoms, or they don’t go away with medication, you may need to consider long-term options with your healthcare professional. These can include ongoing management strategies, different medications, and, in more extreme cases, surgical options.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes
There are many ways you can manage GERD that do not involve medication. They include:
- Finding out what foods trigger you and limiting or avoiding them. Spicy foods, high-fat foods, and acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus are common culprits. Read more about what foods to avoid with GERD in our dedicated article.
- Lifestyle changes such as losing weight if you’re overweight, or quitting smoking. Avoiding meals 2-3 hours before bed and sleeping with your head raised can also help relieve nighttime reflux. You may also find that sleeping on your left side helps.
These GERD management tips may work separately or when applied together. Some people see a significant improvement in their symptoms, but others may need medication.
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
If lifestyle changes don’t ease your symptoms, GERD medication might help. Drugs are available over the counter or by prescription. Over-the-counter options include:
- Antacids provide relief by neutralising the acid in your stomach.
- Alginates also offer relief from acid reflux by forming a protective, foamy layer on top of your stomach’s food contents, keeping them down.
- Medications that are a combination of both antacids and alginates, like Gaviscon Double Action.
It’s important to note that both antacids and alginates offer short-term relief only and shouldn’t be used in the long run, as they are not a GERD cure. If you find yourself needing these medications often, speak to your healthcare professional.
Other medications may also be available over the counter, but you may need a prescription if you need to use them for longer than a few weeks. These include PPIs, like Guardium, which help stop your stomach from producing acid by blocking enzymes in your stomach’s lining.
Side effects from PPIs may include a headache, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, or itching. You may have to take PPIs for a few weeks, and you may need a prescription, depending on the type of PPI you’re taking and how long you need to take it.
Surgical Options for GERD treatment
In very severe cases of GERD that don't respond to medication, your physician may refer you to a specialist who will discuss surgical options with you. GERD surgery can be minimally invasive or more extensive, with varying success rates and risks. Your specialist will explain the benefits and risks of each procedure.
Conclusion
While there is no single GERD cure available yet, many people live symptom-free by applying the management strategies and treatment options outlined in this article.
GERD may not go away completely for everyone, but in many cases, effective management can significantly improve quality of life and reduce the need for medication.
Learn more about Remedies for acid reflux and What medications can you take for GERD.
This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.
Always read the product label. Use only as directed. Incorrect use could be harmful. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional.
