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Health News Network / Reported by intern Chen Lizhen 2015/08/28
The fast-paced lifestyle of modern people often leads to irregular meals or limited lunch breaks, forcing them to eat quickly. As a result, more and more individuals are suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Common symptoms include a burning sensation in the chest (commonly known as heartburn), acid reflux in the throat, bloating, belching with sour liquid, and even regurgitation. Experts warn that long-term neglect of these symptoms can increase the risk of gastric and esophageal cancers.
Dr. Zheng Jiehao from the Family Medicine Department of Linsen Branch, Taipei City Hospital, explains that the causes of GERD include high stress, eating too quickly, excessive consumption of sweets, beverages, caffeine, and strong tea. This is a diet-related condition rather than a physical ailment, primarily caused by poor eating habits and irregular lifestyles. Additionally, there is a sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach. Excessive obesity can increase abdominal pressure, causing stomach acid and food to be pushed toward the esophageal sphincter during digestion. Once the sphincter becomes loose, stomach acid and food can easily flow back into the esophagus, leading to heartburn.
Dr. Zheng emphasizes that medication only provides temporary relief by suppressing acid reflux. If patients do not change their eating habits and lifestyle, taking stomach medicine will not be very helpful, and symptoms will recur. Long-term repeated GERD can significantly increase the risk of gastric and esophageal cancers. Therefore, relying solely on medication to treat GERD is entirely the wrong approach.
Dr. Zheng adds that chewing food slowly can aid digestion. As long as GERD is not severe (severe cases involve chronic esophagitis or gastric ulcers), most cases can be cured without medication. Furthermore, GERD symptoms can sometimes resemble those of cardiovascular diseases. For severe cases, it is recommended to consult a doctor for initial screening to determine whether the burning sensation is caused by cardiac ischemia or acid reflux. If GERD is confirmed, further examinations such as endoscopy may be required.
Source: http://times. hinet. net/ news/ 16469669
GERD: A Self-Inflicted Condition
The fast-paced lifestyle of modern people often leads to irregular meals or limited lunch breaks, forcing them to eat quickly. As a result, more and more individuals are suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Common symptoms include a burning sensation in the chest (commonly known as heartburn), acid reflux in the throat, bloating, belching with sour liquid, and even regurgitation. Experts warn that long-term neglect of these symptoms can increase the risk of gastric and esophageal cancers.
Dr. Zheng Jiehao from the Family Medicine Department of Linsen Branch, Taipei City Hospital, explains that the causes of GERD include high stress, eating too quickly, excessive consumption of sweets, beverages, caffeine, and strong tea. This is a diet-related condition rather than a physical ailment, primarily caused by poor eating habits and irregular lifestyles. Additionally, there is a sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach. Excessive obesity can increase abdominal pressure, causing stomach acid and food to be pushed toward the esophageal sphincter during digestion. Once the sphincter becomes loose, stomach acid and food can easily flow back into the esophagus, leading to heartburn.
Dr. Zheng emphasizes that medication only provides temporary relief by suppressing acid reflux. If patients do not change their eating habits and lifestyle, taking stomach medicine will not be very helpful, and symptoms will recur. Long-term repeated GERD can significantly increase the risk of gastric and esophageal cancers. Therefore, relying solely on medication to treat GERD is entirely the wrong approach.
Dr. Zheng adds that chewing food slowly can aid digestion. As long as GERD is not severe (severe cases involve chronic esophagitis or gastric ulcers), most cases can be cured without medication. Furthermore, GERD symptoms can sometimes resemble those of cardiovascular diseases. For severe cases, it is recommended to consult a doctor for initial screening to determine whether the burning sensation is caused by cardiac ischemia or acid reflux. If GERD is confirmed, further examinations such as endoscopy may be required.
Source: http://times. hinet. net/ news/ 16469669