Article Marketing | Article | Directories | Contents | Heartburn its progression to GERD

Heartburn its progression to GERD

Posted on December 13, 2011
Filed Under Health | Leave a Comment

Remedies for heartburn help to provide relief from heartburn symptoms. Hence, they are ideal for the treatment of simple heartburn, of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or of the significantly more complicated gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While some people might think these three terms describe the same condition, the truth is that they are distinct terms, describing different conditions. They are, however, connected. The precise connections between them become evident when one takes the time to understand what heartburn is and how it can ultimately develop into GERD.

When one eats food, it passes from the mouth into the esophagus, down which it travels to the stomach. While food is being digested in the stomach, a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which seals off the entry to the stomach, is supposed to remain closed. In this way, it is supposed to prevent food from passing from the stomach back into the esophagus. However, sometimes it opens partially, allowing some of the stomach’s contents to be regurgitated. This movement of some of the stomach’s contents into the esophagus is called gastroesophageal reflux. When that mixture moves further upwards, it causes a burning sensation in the chest that is known as heartburn. The connection between gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn is that the former often leads to the latter.

When gastroesophageal reflux occurs over and over again, it causes complications and progresses into a disease, GERD. By that point, antacids are not enough to provide relief from all the symptoms. GERD has serious consequences for the health of those who suffer from it. Those who suffer from simple heartburn or GER should avoid by all means allowing them to progress to GERD. They should seek medical advice for treatment of these two milder conditions.

Notwithstanding the overlap between the three conditions, heartburn does not always accompany GER and GERD. Sometimes GERD patients develop other symptoms like coughing instead of the characteristic heartburn. The cough indicates that the GERD has gone so far as to affect the respiratory system. Similar symptoms include wheezing, laryngitis, a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. One might not typically think to associate these with heartburn or with the stomach for that matter. That is exactly why it is important to seek medical advice for any form of illness. Medical professionals are trained to recognize connections where most other people would miss them. Furthermore, medical professionals are qualified to prescribe a variety of medications, including heartburn remedies.

Share This Article

Related Posts

  1. Vicodin Withdrawal
  2. Alcohol Detox Blues
  3. Discover Some Possible Symptoms and Signs of Colon Cancer and Ovarian Cancer
  4. When to Call for Emergency Medical Transport Services?
  5. Lower Back Strain or Lumbar Sprain explained

Comments

Leave a Reply




-->