Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

The burning sensation which your feeling in chest can be due to acid which has been thrown backwards by your stomach into food pipe. This is medically called GERD.

There are numerous reasons due to which you may experience GERD. In mild cases just by making change in your life style can ease the symptoms. You may need surgery only when there has been structural damage to the organ.

GERD is classified as i) Non-erosive reflux disease ii) Erosive reflux disease iii) Barrett's esophagus

Causes

At the junction of stomach and esophagus there is an opening; lower esophageal sphincter. This sphincter gets close when the food content enters into the stomach. Insufficiency of this mechanism leads regurgitation of food into the food pipe.

Another most common reason is hiatal hernia, in which small portion of the stomach bulges out into the chest through opening of diaphragm; making lower esophageal sphincter weak.

Risk Factors

Obesity
Pregnancy
Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise)
Delayed emptying of stomach
Smoking
Eating large meals at a time
Having fatty food/junk food
Excessive alcohol or coffee
Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Symptoms

Great burning in chest may be after eating and may get worse at night
Difficulty swallowing
Coughing
Sour/bitter taste
Chest pain
Lump sensation in throat
Disturbed sleep
Asthma may worsen

Diagnosis

Generally, it is diagnosed clinically through medical history. To detect complications if any, your doctor may suggest you to undergo few tests.

Upper endoscopy
Ambulatory acid probe test
Esophageal manometry
Barium meal study

Complications

Swelling of the food pipe (esophagitis)
Narrowed or tightening of esophagus (esophageal stricture)
Barrett's esophagus
Esophageal cancer
Asthma
Erosion of teeth

Homeopathy treatment for GERD

Long seated i.e. chronic condition can make day to day life difficult. So just by minimizing symptoms does not always help. Homeopathy gives great result not only in acute but also in chronic case. Here are few important medicine which help to reduce the frequency of acid reflux. Yet, similimum will always stays top most priority in every homeopath's book.

1. Robinia

It is classic medicine and used as first line of treatment for GERD.
Indicated for indigestion and heart burn, which is worst at night.
Everything tastes sour, frequent sour eructations.
Headache due to gastric disturbance.

2. Iris Versicolor

Acidity is so severe that you may feel great burning in whole gastrointestinal tract. Iris is highly indicated.
Vomiting which is sour and is biliary.
Reduced appetite and constant nauseous feeling.
Burning is not even relieved by cold drinks.

3. Natrum Phos

Indicated for person who is mentally weak. Fears that something will happen and the fear gets worse at night. Gets sad from music.
Sour eructations. Great aversion to bread and butter,

4. Carbo Veg

Indicated for eructation and distention of abdomen due to indigestion. Contractive pain which radiates to chest.
Cannot even digest or tolerate simplest food. Cannot bear tight clothes around abdomen.

Treatment with modern medicine

Antacids: Mylanta, rolaids and tums give quick relief, but won't cure the cause. Side effects includes; diarrhea or kidney problem (rare).
H2-receptor-blockers: Cimetidine, famotidine and nizatidine decrease acid production and its effect lasts for 12 hours.
Proton pump inhibitors: Omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole are tolerable. Side effects are diarrhea, headache, nausea and vitamin B12 deficiency. Prolonged use may cause bone weakness.