Gastroesophageal reflux disease may often lead you to believe that it is a persistent throat
problem, while the cause lies in your stomach. Lifestyle changes may have the answer, writes
Saliha Nasline
Many people continue to suffer from itchy throat and cough even if it isn't winter. Visits to
the doctor do not always help as they may probably be told that it is just an infection. But it
may actually be a serious form of acidity called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
While most patients experience occasional acid reflux, it may turn severe in some cases.
Kabir, who moved from Delhi to Bengaluru after landing a job with one of the most soughtafter
startups in the country , is one such example.All was well with him until the pressure of
working day and night got to him. He was constantly ill and kept complaining about
persistent cough and sore throat. After consulting several doctors, he found that he was
indeed suffering from GERD.
“GERD is a digestive disorder which affects the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), the ring
of muscle between the oesophagus and the stomach,“ said Dr Jayshri Shah, gastroenterologist
at Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.“In normal digestion, the lower
oesophageal sphincter opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent
food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the oesophagus. In GERD, the LES
becomes weak, allowing the stomach's contents to flow back into the oesophagus.“
According to an estimate, as much as 60-70% of the adult population experiences GERD in a
year.Changing lifestyles and obesity are the major reasons of increasing incidence, said Dr
Ravindra BS, chief of medical gastroenterology , BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals in
Bengaluru.
“GERD means acid from stomach refluxes into the food pipe resulting in heartburn. If
neglected, it results in oesophagus ulcers and in a few who have smoking habits, it can lead to
cancers in the long run,“ he said.
RISK FACTORS FOR GERD
Although heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux are common, certain factors put some
people at a higher risk of frequent bouts of indigestion and developing GERD. These risk
factors can be related to lifestyle, diet and certain medications.
General physician Dr Gowri Kulkarni, head of medical operations, DocsApp, said, “Certain
individuals are at a higher risk of GERD. The various causes for acid reflux could be obesity ,
consumption of spicy food, alcohol, smoking, inadequate exercise, untimely meals, irregular
sleep pattern and certain medications.“
Stress can be hard on your gut. This may be especially true when the work environment is
extraordinarily stressful.
Shah said that patients should seek immediate medical attention in case of chest pain,
especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath or pain
radiating to jaw, arm or shoulder. “Sometimes these symptoms may be due to heart attack,“
she said.
She said that recurrent backwash of acid can irritate the lining of the oesophagus (food pipe),
causing inflammation. Over time, the inflammation can heal, but if acid reflux persists, the
oesophageal lining can get ulcerated, causing complications such as bleeding, oesophageal
narrowing or Barrett's oesophagus (a precancerous condition).There is a high association of
GERD with oeosphageal adenocarcinoma (cancer).
Ravindra said, “Patients should visit the doctor if heartburn and cough persist for more than
three weeks. The other symptoms that definitely need a visit to the doctor are loss of appetite,
persistent difficulty in swallowing, blood in vomiting and weight loss. If medicines don't
work or on stopping medicines symptoms recur, endoscopy is needed. Sometimes special
tests like PH metry and manometry must be done.“
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GERD AND COUGH
Kulkarni said, “There is a dual relationship between GERD and chronic cough; GERD can
cause cough and chronic cough could also lead to GERD.Due to acid reflux, you might feel
an irritation in the throat which could lead to bouts of cough. Due to chronic coughing, the
sphincter might become lax which could lead to acid reflux.“
LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS HOLD CURE
“Patients are advised to make lifestyle modifications, including reducing stress, and will be
prescribed medication if needed. The medicines will help in increasing the motivity of the
gut,“ said Kulkarni. “If the patient does not show any improvement even after six-eight
weeks of medication, they will be advised to undergo an endoscopy . If the condition is
severe heshe might have to undergo surgery .“ There are many ways to tackle GERD.
“Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up
your stomach and causing acid to back up into your oesophagus,“ said Shah. “If you are
overweight try to lose 0.5 to one kg per week.Avoid alcohol, smoking and tight-fitting
clothing.Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the
lower oesophageal sphincter. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn. Everyone has their own
dietary triggers.These need to be identified and avoided. Common triggers such as fatty or
fried foods, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion and caffeine may worsen your symptoms.“
Dr Vidyasagar Ramappa, consultant-gastroenterology at Columbia Asia Referral Hospital in
Bengaluru said weight loss is important for those who are overweight or have had recent
weight gain. Similarly , elevation of the head of the bed helps those who have nocturnal
symptoms, as does having small frequent meals and avoiding heavy meals, and not lying
down after eating.
People who mostly eat outside should avoid spicy and oily food, said Ramappa. “This can not
only lead to acid reflux but also increase the risk of upper abdominal discomfort or stomach
bloating. Avoid using tobacco and alcohol, limit caffeinated drinks like coffee and carbonated
beverages, and avoid meal two-three hours before bed,“ he said.
Source: The Economic Times
problem, while the cause lies in your stomach. Lifestyle changes may have the answer, writes
Saliha Nasline
Many people continue to suffer from itchy throat and cough even if it isn't winter. Visits to
the doctor do not always help as they may probably be told that it is just an infection. But it
may actually be a serious form of acidity called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
While most patients experience occasional acid reflux, it may turn severe in some cases.
Kabir, who moved from Delhi to Bengaluru after landing a job with one of the most soughtafter
startups in the country , is one such example.All was well with him until the pressure of
working day and night got to him. He was constantly ill and kept complaining about
persistent cough and sore throat. After consulting several doctors, he found that he was
indeed suffering from GERD.
“GERD is a digestive disorder which affects the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), the ring
of muscle between the oesophagus and the stomach,“ said Dr Jayshri Shah, gastroenterologist
at Mumbai's Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.“In normal digestion, the lower
oesophageal sphincter opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent
food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the oesophagus. In GERD, the LES
becomes weak, allowing the stomach's contents to flow back into the oesophagus.“
According to an estimate, as much as 60-70% of the adult population experiences GERD in a
year.Changing lifestyles and obesity are the major reasons of increasing incidence, said Dr
Ravindra BS, chief of medical gastroenterology , BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals in
Bengaluru.
“GERD means acid from stomach refluxes into the food pipe resulting in heartburn. If
neglected, it results in oesophagus ulcers and in a few who have smoking habits, it can lead to
cancers in the long run,“ he said.
RISK FACTORS FOR GERD
Although heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux are common, certain factors put some
people at a higher risk of frequent bouts of indigestion and developing GERD. These risk
factors can be related to lifestyle, diet and certain medications.
General physician Dr Gowri Kulkarni, head of medical operations, DocsApp, said, “Certain
individuals are at a higher risk of GERD. The various causes for acid reflux could be obesity ,
consumption of spicy food, alcohol, smoking, inadequate exercise, untimely meals, irregular
sleep pattern and certain medications.“
Stress can be hard on your gut. This may be especially true when the work environment is
extraordinarily stressful.
Shah said that patients should seek immediate medical attention in case of chest pain,
especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath or pain
radiating to jaw, arm or shoulder. “Sometimes these symptoms may be due to heart attack,“
she said.
She said that recurrent backwash of acid can irritate the lining of the oesophagus (food pipe),
causing inflammation. Over time, the inflammation can heal, but if acid reflux persists, the
oesophageal lining can get ulcerated, causing complications such as bleeding, oesophageal
narrowing or Barrett's oesophagus (a precancerous condition).There is a high association of
GERD with oeosphageal adenocarcinoma (cancer).
Ravindra said, “Patients should visit the doctor if heartburn and cough persist for more than
three weeks. The other symptoms that definitely need a visit to the doctor are loss of appetite,
persistent difficulty in swallowing, blood in vomiting and weight loss. If medicines don't
work or on stopping medicines symptoms recur, endoscopy is needed. Sometimes special
tests like PH metry and manometry must be done.“
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GERD AND COUGH
Kulkarni said, “There is a dual relationship between GERD and chronic cough; GERD can
cause cough and chronic cough could also lead to GERD.Due to acid reflux, you might feel
an irritation in the throat which could lead to bouts of cough. Due to chronic coughing, the
sphincter might become lax which could lead to acid reflux.“
LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS HOLD CURE
“Patients are advised to make lifestyle modifications, including reducing stress, and will be
prescribed medication if needed. The medicines will help in increasing the motivity of the
gut,“ said Kulkarni. “If the patient does not show any improvement even after six-eight
weeks of medication, they will be advised to undergo an endoscopy . If the condition is
severe heshe might have to undergo surgery .“ There are many ways to tackle GERD.
“Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight can put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up
your stomach and causing acid to back up into your oesophagus,“ said Shah. “If you are
overweight try to lose 0.5 to one kg per week.Avoid alcohol, smoking and tight-fitting
clothing.Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the
lower oesophageal sphincter. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn. Everyone has their own
dietary triggers.These need to be identified and avoided. Common triggers such as fatty or
fried foods, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion and caffeine may worsen your symptoms.“
Dr Vidyasagar Ramappa, consultant-gastroenterology at Columbia Asia Referral Hospital in
Bengaluru said weight loss is important for those who are overweight or have had recent
weight gain. Similarly , elevation of the head of the bed helps those who have nocturnal
symptoms, as does having small frequent meals and avoiding heavy meals, and not lying
down after eating.
People who mostly eat outside should avoid spicy and oily food, said Ramappa. “This can not
only lead to acid reflux but also increase the risk of upper abdominal discomfort or stomach
bloating. Avoid using tobacco and alcohol, limit caffeinated drinks like coffee and carbonated
beverages, and avoid meal two-three hours before bed,“ he said.
Source: The Economic Times
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