Recurrent cases of heartburn, irrespective of age, are a matter of concern. Despite the condition, many choose to ignore it, but those who consult a gastro and liver doctor in Kolkata are often diagnosed with GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Here, gastroesophageal implies oesophagus and stomach, whereas reflux indicates flow back. To combine it all, it’s the flowing back of stomach contents into the oesophagus. Many poor habits and lifestyle choices are responsible for the digestive disorder, and not all are aware. So, we thought of spreading awareness through this blog post. If you are reading it now, we suggest you to peruse it till the end, as the risk factors, signs and symptoms are not limited to a few. Knowing them could help you discover the chronic condition if you are suffering from it already.
Before proceeding, want to know where to find a gastroenterologist or a gastro surgeon in Kolkata? Livgastro is the right centre, where doctors specialising in liver, gastro and pancreas diseases are available. Equipped with tools and techniques from Japan, America and Germany, the team of highly qualified doctors here are led by Dr. Vijay Rai. If you were going to type ‘acidity doctor near me’, or looking for a gastroenterologist in the City of Joy, this Integrative Liver Gastro Care is the solution to all your concerns.
Commonly found among the urban population, GERD is chronic if you complain of its bouts more than twice a week. It mostly occurs due to the sedentary lifestyle of people, but causes like the following are equally responsible:
According to the gastro, pancreas and liver doctors in Kolkata, certain conditions increase the risk of GERD, and they are:
• Sore throat
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Swallowing difficulty
• Breathing difficulty (in extreme cases)
• A sensation of a lump in the throat
• The sour taste of acid while lying down
Such discomforts are more recurrent during the night and less often during the daytime.
A gastroenterologist usually starts by measuring the acid content in one’s oesophagus and muscle contractions to look for damage. The doctor does so by performing certain tests or examining the oesophagus. If the specialist diagnoses GERD, then the expert advises an immediate lifestyle change. However, if the discomforts prevail, medications are prescribed. Surgery is advised only in extreme cases. Thankfully, one need not search frantically for surgeons, as the most renowned gastro surgeons in Kolkata are available at LivGastro in the Beleghata area!
For now, you can incorporate the following lifestyle changes to ease your symptoms:
• Exercise regularly
• Stay away from alcohol consumption
• Quit smoking
• Never lie down after a meal
• Practice eating slowly at small intervals
• Wear tight-fitted clothes less frequently
Besides incorporating the discussed changes in your lifestyle, making sure that the following are included in your everyday diet is also advised:
• Yoghurt
• Ginger
• Oatmeal
• Fennel seeds
GERD often accompanies the enclosed discomforts in patients:
• Oesophageal cancer
• Oesophageal ulcer
• Narrowing of oesophagus
• Inflammation and lung infection
• Asthma
Unfortunately, GERD can be a life-long health condition, and patients diagnosed with it may have to deal with it for the rest of their lives. However, when diagnosed early and proper treatment ensues, the chances of symptoms subsiding are high. The worst thing could be leaving the condition untreated, as GERD can cause permanent damage to the oesophagus. Therefore, if you feel that most of the symptoms discussed here match your condition, then book an appointment with a gastroenterologist today without further delay.
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