You can consider vomiting once or twice normal, but having this recurring issue could mean a more severe case with your digestion or esophagus. If you discover it has something to do with the latter, you might have a GERD chronic condition.

Read through our article to learn more about GERD, its symptoms, causes, treatments, and even ways to prevent the disease.

What Is GERD?

GERD is short for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is the condition where acid contents from your stomach flow back up through your esophagus into your mouth. GERD is also commonly known as acid indigestion, acid reflux, acid regurgitation, heartburn, or reflux.

Having GERD could affect your daily life, but don’t worry because medical treatments and home remedies can treat this condition.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of GERD?

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of GERD include chest pains, difficulty swallowing, regurgitating your stomach’s contents, sore throat or irritation in your esophagus, nausea, and vomiting. It is important to note that other stomach issues can also have these symptoms, and not all individuals with GERD show these symptoms.

If you’ve only experienced some of these things for a day or two after a night of drinking and eating, maybe your condition isn’t necessarily chronic. However, if you’re experiencing these symptoms more than twice a week over some time, perhaps it’s time for you to schedule an endoscopic ultrasound with a health professional.

What Causes GERD?

When your body is experiencing GERD, what happens is that your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens up even when you aren’t swallowing food. It causes the contents to go back up into your mouth.

Some of the significant causes of GERD include eating a large meal or belching, consuming certain food high in fats, increased abdominal pressure from being overweight or pregnant, or side effects from medications.

How Do You Treat GERD?

There are many ways to treat GERD. It usually begins with significant lifestyle changes, particularly your diet and exercise. You might say goodbye to some of your favorite food or eat smaller portions of your meals.

As for medication and surgery, after having a GERD endoscopy, your doctor can give you over-the-counter medicines, such as antacids, H-2-Receptor Blockers, proton pump inhibitors, or other surgery options. Consult with your gastroenterologist to know which surgery option is best for you.

How Do You Prevent GERD?

They say that prevention is better than cure. There are many ways to stop GERD symptoms from escalating. The primary cause of GERD is lifestyle habits that abuse your stomach and esophagus, so naturally, one of the many ways to keep it from happening is a lifestyle change.

Start by changing your diet. Avoid the kinds of food that usually trigger GERD, even if they are your favorite. It can include alcohol, fatty food, spicy food, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and more. You can also start eating meals in smaller portions to maintain your metabolism. Change your eating habits by eating slowly, sitting upright when eating, and not lying down immediately after a meal.

Final Thoughts

In the end, GERD is a severe condition and, if you don’t catch it in the early stages, it can do severe damage to your esophagus. Be cautious about your symptoms, or better yet, make active changes to your lifestyle to prevent it from happening.

If you’re looking for advanced endoscopy and gastroenterology, call us today to find one of the best gastroenterologists in New Jersey. Get the best service with world-renowned endoscopist and gastroenterologist Dr. Michel Kahaleh, who has pioneered interventional endoscopy and can perform various endoscopic procedures.