Acid reflux is very common and will not remain for long and will cure within a few days’ time. While few others experience more severe and chronic acid reflux and this condition is called Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux disease (GERD).
GERD’S CONNECTION WITH PERSISTENT COUGHS
Persistent coughing is a resultant of GERD. Gastroenterology doctors in Hyderabad concur that around 25 percent of the cases of chronic cough is because of acid reflux. Let’s take a look at the symptoms:
- Coughing when in resting position
- Coughing after a meal
- Coughing even when you are not asthmatic or when your chest x-rays are normal.
- Increased coughing even when you are not addicted to smoking or even when you are not on medication such as ACE inhibitors which have chances of coughing as a side effect.
DIAGNOSIS OF GERD WITH PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC COUGH:
Asthma and postnasal drip also result in persistent cough. So, the diagnosis of GERD can get confusing. The tests the patients are put through in Gastroenterology hospitals in Hyderabad to detect GERD include:
- Upper Endoscopy or EGD: It helps in understanding the condition of the symptoms
- 24-hour-pH probe: It observes oesophageal behavior which helps in the diagnosis
- MII-pH: It detects non-acid reflux
There are other methods too to diagnose GERD. The proton pump inhibitors(PPI’s) is one of the gastroenterology treatment procedures given as a medication for GERD to a certain span of time to see if the patient is relieved from cough. Some of them are branded with names such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec. If the symptoms resolve in this therapy then you can infer that you had GERD.
GERD IN CHILDREN:
GERD may appear in infants as well. In children too you may see symptoms such as repeated vomiting, asthma, wheezing, pneumonia. The children suffering from GERD refuse to eat, get irritated easily and the growth may become slow.
RISK FACTORS:
The risks weaken your lower oesophageal sphincter which is present in the muscles at the lower end of the oesophagus and this condition pushes all the contents of the stomach up the oesophagus. This causes GERD. Let’s take a look at the risks:
- Consumption of Alcohol
- Smoking
- Too much usage of garlic
- Fried fatty foods
- Onions
- Spicy foods
- Pizzas, salsa, and spaghetti
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO EASE GERD?
- Lose weight
- Wear free size clothes
- Avoid foods that increases GERD such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and chocolates
LIFESTYLE CHANGES:
- Do not hit the bed soon after your meals
- Loose excess weight
- Quit smoking
- Eat smaller meals
- Do not use thick pillows. Let the pillows not exceed more than 6 and eight inches.
TREATMENTS AND PROCEDURES:
PPI therapy is very effective. The famous gastroenterology doctors in Hyderabad also prescribe other treatments such as asantacids, H2 blockers and foaming agents which have also been found effective in relieving GERD. When the symptoms do not heal even after the above therapies and lifestyle changes then your physician may ask you to get fundoplication. It is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that connects the upper area of the stomach to the oesophagus which reduces reflux.
WHY KIMS?
KIMS is the best hospital for gastroenterology treatment in Hyderabad as the panel of experienced gastroenterologists treat their patients after analysing his condition carefully. Hence, there is no reason for failure and the treatment ensures the patient in regaining his healthy self.