The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease is related to many factors. Under normal circumstances, the acute angle formed by the upper and lower esophageal sphincter, abdominal esophagus and gastric fundus forms a "flap" against gastroesophageal reflux, and any factors that cause structural changes or dysfunction will lead to gastroesophageal reflux. These factors, including low upper esophageal sphincter pressure, relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter, impaired esophageal peristalsis, and clearance obstacles, will all lead to gastric emptying disorders.
Studies have shown that gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common in overweight people. The higher the body mass index, the higher the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux. Moreover, high-fat diet is also a high-risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux. Drinking carbonated drinks will increase the probability of heartburn symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux during sleep. In addition, other inducements include smoking, alcoholism, drug abuse and special physiological periods such as pregnancy.
The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease are various, typical and atypical. Waking up with acid water while sleeping is a typical symptom, which is clinically called acid reflux. Other typical symptoms include heartburn, chest pain, abdominal distension and epigastric pain, which are caused by the reflux of gastric acid into esophagus. In addition, there are atypical symptoms, such as gastric acid reflux to the pharynx, which will cause pharyngitis, foreign body sensation, hoarseness and so on; Stomach acid entering the throat or mistakenly entering the trachea will lead to repeated cough, expectoration, pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis; Stomach acid reaching the mouth and nose can cause bitterness, halitosis, chronic rhinitis and postnasal drip. Therefore, if these symptoms appear repeatedly, we should also be alert to the possibility of gastroesophageal reflux.
If gastroesophageal reflux disease is not treated in time, it may cause reflux esophagitis, esophageal ulcer and bleeding. There is even a risk of cancer. At present, drug therapy is the first-line treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Commonly used stomach drugs include acid inhibitors, antacids, gastrointestinal motility enhancers and gastric mucosal protectants. If there is gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by mental and psychological factors, it is necessary to combine neuroregulators.
Finally, don't forget to adjust diet and lifestyle to prevent seizures and relieve symptoms, including losing weight, raising the bedside or pillow when sleeping, abstaining from alcohol, avoiding overeating or midnight snack at dinner, avoiding exercise after meals, and avoiding eating foods that may promote reflux (such as chocolate, coffee, spicy food, oranges, tomatoes, high-fat food).
References:
Understanding of multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in China.
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