A recent study concluded that HEARTBURN is shadowing modern day India!
Anatcids & Ranitidine tablets are second only to tranquilizers not only in self medication but in prescription drugs as well. Commonly used term HYPERACIDITY is GERD in most cases and lately we are finding it in kids as well.
GERD - Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
In a normal person, food travels from esophagus (food pipe) to stomach and there is a valve at the junction of esophagus and stomach preventing any retrograde movement of food. During the act of vomiting, this valve forcibly opens and allows the contents to travel in opposite direction.
Our faulty eating habits, viz spicy and hot food, irregular meal times, more of fast food as compared to a balanced meal not only causes increased secretion of acid but als causes the valve to weaken and allow retrograde movement - this is what GERD is - Refulx of stomach contents into esophagus where they have no business to be.
In GERD, gastric acid, bile and partially digested food from the stomach rises back up into the esophagus, causing irritation of the food pipr which leads to motility problems. Since esophaugs lies close proximity to the heart, motility problems present as angina symptoms: severe burning in the pit of the stomach (you'll never call it stomach but always chest pain) - a feeling of something stuck there, a feeling of sour water coming up and may be vomiting. All these symptoms get aggravated after lying down as after lying down even gravity acts in pushing the contents up a weak valve.
Treatment
GERD is resistant to treatment as people find it very difficult to change food habits. There is a group of drugs called PROKINETIC drugs that are used to help correct the motility. Regular intake of a balanced diet, avoidance of smoking, alcohol and spicy food also go a long way in relieving GERD symptoms.
As I said that gravity helps push the contents up, we use the principle of gravity to relieve the patient with GERD.
This is normal bed and being horizontal will aid gravity.
In the lower image, head end of the bed raised by placing a wooden block/ a brick (Blue colored strip ) ; this elevates the bed so that the person with GERD is not lying down absolutely horizontally; Gravity thus helps keep the stomach contents in the stomach itself and prevents reflux.
I have tried this in many cases of GERD and believe me it works.
Try and revert with feedbacks
Comments