Unfortunately, many people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease don’t realize how serious it can be. If it’s left untreated, GERD can cause even more damage to the esophagus and throat. While this disease is not as common as heartburn or the other types of acid reflux, it is nonetheless a serious problem.
Acid reflux affects both men and women and is often the symptom of a larger issue in the digestive system. The stomach lining becomes irritated and inflamed when there are too much food and too little stomach acid. When this happens, the area lining the esophagus becomes irritated as well. This irritation creates discomfort, pain, and belching.
Because the stomach has to work harder to process the food content, people who suffer from this ailment may feel as though they are having a heart attack. Some people with acid reflux also report episodes of extreme nausea or vomiting. A similar type of symptoms occurs in people who have a condition called ulcerative colitis.
The two conditions are very different from chronic heartburn and acid reflux, but their causes are very similar. When the esophagus has acid reflux, the lining becomes irritated and inflamed. And if the person has ulcerative colitis, the lining becomes damaged tissue begins to develop.
When a person suffers from both disorders, he or she can become seriously ill. One type of disease known as myopericarditis can be caused by acid reflux, while another can be caused by ulcerative colitis. People who are diagnosed with acid reflux usually experience symptoms within two to four weeks of the onset of symptoms with ulcerative colitis.
Despite the fact that acid reflux and ulcerative colitis affect the same portion of the digestive system, they may not seem related. Fortunately, the former is very treatable, and it does not have serious complications. Ulcerative colitis can be a chronic disease that, like acid reflux, can lead to serious medical complications. As such, it is important to diagnose the condition as soon as possible in order to prevent any potentially serious problems.
After the initial diagnosis, doctors may prescribe anti-acid medications and other treatments to try to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux and ulcerative colitis. These options may seem beneficial, but they do not eliminate the underlying cause of the disease. Treating acid reflux may relieve some symptoms, but it doesn’t totally cure the disease. In order to find a permanent cure, the underlying causes must be addressed and eliminated.
For severe acid reflux, surgery can be performed. This procedure is designed to either remove the area where the acid reflux occurs or to reduce or stop its effects altogether. With this surgery, the area where the disease occurs is reduced, or the disease is totally stopped.
Colonoscopy is another option that can be considered. This procedure allows doctors to view the entire digestive tract for signs of cancerous growth. By doing so, it is possible to determine the root cause of the disease. While it is considered a last resort, it can still offer relief for the afflicted.
Herbal remedies for acid reflux are the most common treatment choices, but they are not always effective. In most cases, herbal remedies are only good for short-term relief. Many herbs and teas have temporary relief but do nothing to fix the underlying issue. In the long run, herbal treatments will usually prove to be ineffective.
Surgery is the most popular option for treating acid reflux. If this is your choice, your doctor will probably recommend the option of the laparoscope. This is a small flexible tube with several holes placed into the lining of the esophagus. Bypassing through these holes, the surgeon is able to look inside the esophagus to see exactly where the problem is coming from.