Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a condition in which acid from your stomach comes back up into your esophagus. It is a something I am all too familiar with. I was first diagnosed nearly ten years ago. I was having frequent upper abdominal pain and chest pains. Initially I thought I was having some type of heart problems and it would cause me great discomfort which would trigger anxiety, only making things worse. I met with my family practitioner who after a round of various tests referred me to a gastroenterologist.
My form of acid reflex did not show itself with typical heartburn symptoms. It is sometimes called Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) and can be referred to as silent reflux. Basically that meant I did not get the typical heartburn symptoms like burping, acidity tastes in my mouth or upset stomach aches. Instead I got chest pains and upper abdominal discomfort. Often it felt like tightness in my chest, especially after large meals or when lying down.
The gastroenterologist performed a procedure called an endoscopy. A small tube was inserted in my mouth and worked down into my esophagus, stomach and duodenum (part of small bowel). There is a camera on the tube so the doctor is able to take pictures and view these areas on a monitor. What the gastroenterologist found was that I had the first stages of damage of my esophagus due to acid reentering it from my stomach. The damage was minimal so it was treatable.
Do I have to take the medicine for the rest of my life?
My doctor prescribed Nexium, which is a medication that helps heal the damage caused by GERD in turn causing the symptoms to cease. After taking it for just a few months, I began feeling a lot better. When I had been taking it for nearly six months I had to ask myself if I wanted to take medicine for the rest of my life. I didn’t so I began to make lifestyle changes.
No More Caffeine
I had always been a coffee drinker. It gave me the pickup I needed to get going and sustained me throughout the day. But unfortunately, the caffeine in drinks like coffee, soda and tea trigger heartburn which in turn activates the GERD. Did I totally quit my coffee habit? No but I cut down my consumption considerably.
I started slowly, just walking a few blocks. I worked up to four miles a day, making my route more rigorous by including hills and inclines. Then I started seeing a personal trainer. I lost about twenty pounds and never felt healthier. Again this helped with the GERD by taking pressure off my stomach.
Sleep Elevated
I started sleeping with my upper body raised ever so slightly. I used very large pillows, like the European ones, and created an elevation from my waist up. When I just elevated my head I ended up with a headache from the neck pain. By doing this, it reduced the chances of stomach acid reentering my esophagus.
Change Eating Habits
This was the hardest thing for me. First of all, I had to greatly reduce my intake of acidity foods like tomatoes. This meant less spaghetti, less fresh sliced tomatoes, less garlic, onions, chocolate, and basically all the things I loved to eat. And I had to eat in smaller portions. This helped by not triggering my heartburn.
It all paid off in the end. I got off the medication. I had a relapse recently but it was my fault. I had gone back to bad eating habits and although I had not experienced the symptoms of GERD for nearly five years, it came back full force. The doctor performed an endoscopy again and behold, it was acting up again. I had to take the Nexium for a few months to get it back under control but I also immediately went back to the good eating habits and exercise and this time around I have been able to get it under control more quickly.
GERD is a life changing disease but one that is manageable and requires habits that are good for you. Don’t let the discomfort and pain of the disease control you. By making a few lifestyle changes you can deter this disease which can lead to more serious conditions and then you can control it.
References:
Nexium: About Acid Reflux Disease
http://www.purplepill.com/acid-reflux-disease/acid-reflux-symptoms-causes.aspx
Mayo Clinic: GERD
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gerd/DS00967
Emedicine Health: Acid Reflux (GERD)
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/acid_reflux_disease_gerd/article_em.htm
