Heartburn, acid reflux, and chest pain aren’t just signs of “aging” that a lot of people like to joke about on social media, but are already symptoms of a health issue that affects many worldwide and should be addressed right away.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when acid frequently flows and moves back to the esophagus, which connects the mouth and the stomach.1 Aside from the symptoms mentioned earlier, someone with GERD may find it difficult to swallow food and experience nausea too.
As November begins, so does GERD Awareness Month! More than understanding this health issue’s causes and indicators, it’s important to raise awareness about GERD’s potential complications too. If you or someone you know is struggling with GERD, take the time to learn more about this health issue and how to address it here.
What Causes GERD Symptoms? The lower esophageal sphincter, which is a muscle located at the bottom portion of your esophagus, may be to blame for the presence of GERD symptoms. This muscle first relaxes to let food and liquid enter the stomach, then closes once it is done.
However, if the lower esophageal sphincter weakens and/or does not relax properly, this creates a window of opportunity for the stomach acid to move back to the esophagus and cause it to become irritated and inflamed.4
But what prompts the lower esophageal sphincter to not function properly anyway? The answer may lie in certain risk factors and lifestyle habits, such as:
- Excess consumption of fried or fatty food
- Consumption of large meals
- Late-night meals
- Obesity or being overweight
- A pregnancy
- A hiatal hernia (a stomach bulge located above or near the diaphragm)
- Smoking or inhalation of secondhand smoke
- Medicines like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tricyclic antidepressants, sedatives, and/or calcium channel blockers
If you are worried about being in an at-risk group for GERD symptoms, consult a doctor as soon as you can. They may be able to help you determine what causes symptoms and suggest home remedies that help with GERD and acid reflux relief.
How Prevalent Is GERD in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, data on the actual number of GERD cases is limited. However, some findings have already shed light on how widespread it may be for adults. For instance, one 2022 study highlighted that GERD was prevalent in 13.64% of Filipino hemodialysis patients undergoing maintenance in three health centers in Tarlac City. That’s just one province alone.8
Meanwhile, earlier findings from 2015 revealed that between 1994 to 1997 and 2000 to 2003, cases of erosive esophagitis (EE) rose from 2.9% to 6.3%.9 EE is a known complication linked to GERD, wherein frequent acid reflux damages the lining in the esophagus and causes the appearance of erosions and even bleeding ulcers.
Warning: GERD Complications to Be Aware Of
Unfortunately, GERD is considered a chronic health problem. This means that GERD symptoms can affect your well-being for a long time.11 Plus, you would need to address the symptoms right away with the help of medicines and other strategies (doctor-prescribed or otherwise) that can assist with relief.
So what happens if you leave GERD symptoms unaddressed? For starters, researchers have linked frequent GERD symptoms to reduced productivity and quality of life. Some people may also be at risk for further complications linked to GERD, namely:
- Esophagitis: This occurs when stomach acid frequently damages esophageal tissue and triggers inflammation, bleeding, and ulcers, as well as pain and difficulty swallowing.
- Esophageal stricture: Another term for narrowing of the esophagus, this happens when stomach acid causes scar tissue formation in the important organ. Someone with an esophageal stricture experiences swallowing difficulties.
- Barrett esophagus: Frequent damage linked to stomach acid can trigger unwanted changes in tissue found in the lower esophagus, and raise someone’s risk for esophageal cancer.
As early as now, act on symptoms of GERD and/or acid reflux with the help of home remedies and other doctor-prescribed strategies. Starting sooner rather than later can make a world of difference when it comes to dealing with GERD symptoms.
Consider This Formula for Chronic GERD Symptom Relief
Keep chronic symptoms of GERD at bay so these won’t negatively affect your quality of life. In case symptoms strike, be ready with Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Algina™) which can help target symptoms in as fast as 1 minute (based on efficacy comparison of antacid products in an artificial stomach model).
Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Algina™) can be used to help relieve GERD symptoms such as acid regurgitation, heartburn, and indigestion. This medicine contains three key components in the form of:
- Sodium alginate: This natural polysaccharide helps lessen acid reflux episodes, create physical “barriers” to ward off acidic gastric contents, address heartburn, and reduce acid reflux risk. ●
- Sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate: These antacids may help neutralize stomach acid and ultimately assist in the relief of heartburn and acid indigestion.
Suggested use of Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Algina™) for adults and children 12 years old and above is one (1) to two (2) sachets after meals and before bedtime, up to four times a day, or as recommended by a doctor.
Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Algina™) is available online and in leading drugstores nationwide at a suggested retail price (SRP) of Php30.37 per sachet.
If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
ASC No. U0146P102824A
References:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Symptoms & Causes of GER & GERD
Acid Reflux & GERD by Cleveland Clinic
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (NCBI)
Prevalence and associated clinical factors of GERD (Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease) in Filipino hemodialysis patients: A Cross-sectional Study
Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults (Beyond the Basics)
