GERD

GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) is when stomach acid regularly backs up into the oesophagus (food pipe), causing heartburn and other symptoms. Occasional heartburn is normal; GERD is when symptoms are frequent (more than twice a week) or start to affect life.

Symptoms

• Heartburn — burning behind the breastbone, often worse after meals and lying down.
• Regurgitation — sour or bitter fluid coming back into the throat or mouth.
• Chronic cough, throat clearing, hoarse voice (especially morning).
• Bad breath, dental erosion.
• A feeling of something stuck in the throat.
• Worsening asthma.

Red flags — see a Health Expert

• Difficulty or pain swallowing.
• Vomiting blood or black tarry stools.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• New symptoms after age 50.
• Symptoms not responding to 4-8 weeks of treatment.
• Chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, pain to arm/jaw — dial 112; rule out a heart attack.

What helps

• Smaller, earlier dinners; don't lie down for 2-3 hours after eating.
• Raise the head of the bed by 10-15 cm.
• Avoid triggers — big oily meals, deep-fried food, very spicy food, chocolate, mint, coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks, late-night snacks.
• Weight loss — one of the most effective measures for overweight people.
• Quit smoking.
• Loose clothes around the waist.
• Simple antacids for occasional symptoms.
• Acid-suppressing medicines (H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors) — effective for most; a Health Expert will advise duration and review long-term use.
• Surgery (fundoplication) — for severe or unresponsive cases.

Long-term untreated GERD can damage the oesophageal lining (Barrett's oesophagus) and rarely lead to cancer. Persistent symptoms deserve proper evaluation, not indefinite over-the-counter antacid use.