Gastroesophageal Reflux GERD Case Study In Middle-Aged Woman

Patient: Female, 52

Final diagnosis: Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal Reflux signs and Symptoms:  burning pain in the chest that usually occurs after eating and worsens when lying down.

Speciality: Gastroenterology

Causes, symptoms, and treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects as many middle-aged women as males. It might manifest as heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, or chest discomfort. We examined the severity of symptoms in women is significantly more than in men and may contribute to earlier disease recognition and different disease management.

A 52-year-old woman was referred to gastroenterology practice for a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient claims to have had heartburn symptoms for at least five years. Her symptoms responded to over-the-counter medications such as antacid tablets and liquids, but they grew so frequent that she sought medical attention from her primary care physician.

Later, she reported minor acid reflux at least twice a week. She does not have any other chronic medical issues and does not use any other drugs. Her social background includes severe alcohol usage for 20 years, which she discontinued after being diagnosed with liver illness four years ago. There is no family history of gastrointestinal cancer in her family.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, often known as GERD, is a digestive illness that affects the muscular ring between your oesophagus and stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter is the term given to this ring (LES). You may have heartburn or acid indigestion if you have it. Doctors believe that some people develop it as a result of a disease known as hiatal hernia. In most situations, GERD symptoms can be alleviated via dietary and lifestyle modifications. However, some people may require taking medication or going under surgery.

Dysphagia, nausea or vomiting, blood in her stool, or accidental weight loss were all symptoms she encountered. Most people can control their GERD symptoms with simple lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medicines. However, she may require more potent medication or surgery to cure her problems. Because the patient has a history of alcoholism, she is particularly sensitive to this condition.

We observed that the usual age group with GERD symptoms is primarily middle-aged women, i.e. (age range 36 to 55).

Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. (GERD) occurs when stomach acid regularly rushes back into the tube that links your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). Acid reflux (backwash) can irritate the esophageal lining. Many people experience acid reflux on a regular basis.

Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

• A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which could be worse during the night
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
•  Throat lump sensation

Night-time acid reflux, one might also experience:

• Chronic cough
• Laryngitis
• New or worsening asthma
• Disrupted sleep

Gastroesophageal reflux risk factors include:

• Obesity
• Bulging the top of the stomach up into the diaphragm
• Pregnancy
• Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma
• Delayed stomach emptying

Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms and Treatment

Lying down is one of the home treatments for GERD. According to most researchers, the optimal height of bed head elevation is at least 6-8 inches (15-20 centimetres). This height has been shown in studies to reduce acid reflux when lying down. In reality, the higher the height, the better.

Gastroesophageal reflux management

GERD therapy aims to reduce the quantity of reflux or decrease the damage to the oesophagus lining affected by the refluxed materials.

Over the counter or prescription, medicine recommendations work to address Gastroesophageal reflux causes and symptoms.

• Antacids: These medications can help neutralize the acid in the oesophagus and stomach, therefore alleviating heartburn. Non-prescription antacids give brief or partial relief for many people. Some people benefit from an antacid coupled with a foamy agent. These chemicals, according to researchers, form a foam barrier on top of the stomach, preventing acid reflux.
• H2 blockers: For persistent reflux and heartburn, the doctor may prescribe medicines to decrease stomach acid. H2 blockers, which assist in inhibiting acid production in the stomach, are among these medications. Cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine are models of H2 blockers.
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): Often known as acid pumps, medications that reduce stomach acid production by blocking a protein. Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate (Zegerid), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole are all proton pump inhibitors (Aciphex).
• Prokinetics: In rare circumstances, these medicines assist your stomach empty faster, resulting in less acid being left behind. They may also aid in the treatment of symptoms such as bloating, nausea, and vomiting. Domperidone and metoclopramide are two samples of prokinetics (Clopra, Maxolon, Metozolv, Reglan). Many individuals are unable to take them, and those who can only do so for a short time.

In this case, she was initially given an H2 blocker, which proved ineffective, so she was put on proton pump inhibitor treatment for a while. She presently takes 20mg of omeprazole daily, which she finds beneficial, although she does have heartburn if she skips a dosage. The patient can now comfortably swallow meals and liquids and shows no indications of vomiting or nausea. The patient is constantly monitored and encouraged to make certain dietary and lifestyle modifications. She is recommended to abstain totally from alcohol and cigarettes.

Routine check-ups and proper treatments can help patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux cure. Suppose you are experiencing any symptoms mentioned above. In that case, you can follow the Gastroesophageal reflux care plan by getting in touch with the online gastroenterologist doctor. You can talk to the gastroenterologist and consult gastroenterologist online free. Services are available in different cities, consult her as a gastroenterologist, the best doctor in Patna for the stomach, best female gynaecologist in Jhansi, gastro surgeon in Delhi, liver cirrhosis specialist doctor in India, NCR gastro liver clinic Gurgaon, max hospital liver specialist, the gastro & liver clinic Patna Bihar and best physician in Jammu city.

1. Can GERD affect my heart?

GERD and the associated heartburn have nothing to do with heart or heart disease even though the burning chest in pain seems like a pain in the heart.

2. Are there symptoms other than heartburn for GERD?

Other symptoms include regurgitation of acid up in the throat, bitter taste in the mouth, persistent dry cough, and wheezing among others.

3. Why doesn’t the acid harm the stomach?

The stomach has a thick lining that protects it from damage by acid. The oesophagus does not have this lining.