Reflux literally means 'retrograde flow'. This is not just between the stomach and the esophagus. There may be reflux from the duodenum to the stomach or from the bladder to the urinary tract. Moreover, in medicine, these are explained by the word reflux added to the end of the organ names containing this region. The muscles and pressure systems structured in certain areas of our body act as if there were a valve in that area. As an example, we can show the flow between the duodenum and the stomach, and between the stomach and the esophagus in the digestive system. Among these examples, problems in the system between the stomach and the esophagus are the cause of the disease we call reflux among the public and gastroesophageal reflux in medicine.
When we eat, the foods we eat come to the stomach through the esophagus, where they go through the necessary digestive processes in a dense acidic environment. . A muscle and pressure system has been established in the stomach to act as a valve between the stomach and the esophagus to prevent both acid and these digestive products from escaping into the esophagus. The weakening and insufficiency of this system causes the disease called reflux disease, which is explained by the leakage of large amounts of stomach acid into the esophagus, which can cause serious health problems in the future. If this disease is accompanied by loosening or opening of the hole in the membrane called diaphragm, which separates the chest and abdomen, through which the esophagus passes, then an epigastric hernia, commonly called hiatal hernia, which is determined by the protrusion of the stomach into the chest cavity from the side of the esophagus, may be added. In short, reflux disease can be accompanied by a hiatal hernia, or reflux can occur alone.
Approximately 20% of reflux disease is seen in the world. We also witness that this rate is increasing. I think the biggest reason for this is the advances in the diagnosis of this disease.
What are the complaints of this disease that we encounter quite frequently?
We can list them as follows:
- Burning sensation in the chest, especially behind the breastbone
- Brid water coming to the mouth (especially when we lean forward, sleep on a thin pillow or without a pillow)
- Frequent burning sensations in the nasal passages
- Feeling of a lump in the throat and difficulty in swallowing while eating
- Voice and vocal cords problems eri
- Frequently recurring pharyngitis
Now, let's examine what we may encounter when we do not treat a possible reflux disease.
Both in the publications we read and the research we do on the internet. Additional information we encounter about this disease is the cancer connection. First of all, I would like to point out that in patients with persistent reflux complaints for a very long time, some wounds that occur as a result of continuous irritation at the lower end of the esophagus can lead to the disease we call Barrett's Esophagus. The fact that Barret's esophagus is a precancerous lesion causes a relationship between reflux and esophageal cancer among the public and in medicine. From this very rare complication, there are very serious and common diseases caused by reflux that disrupt the comfort of life. These are strictures due to the hard tissue formed by bleeding and punctures from the wounds and the wounds that continuously heal and open. At the end of these events, we may even witness the shortening of the esophagus.
Endoscopy, stomach-esophagus graph, pressure and PLT measurements are needed to diagnose this disease, which is 3 times more common in men than in women.
Now, after diagnosing this disease, I want to move on to the most important part, the treatment.
We can show what we need to do in treatment in 3 stages:
- Eliminate existing complaints
- To treat inflammation and wounds in the esophagus
- To prevent recurrence and complications
The only reason for performing these 3 options is to prevent backflow from the stomach to the esophagus.
For this, we must first change our lifestyle.
- We must quit smoking. While smoking causes increased secretion of stomach acid, on the other hand, it causes the muscles between the stomach and esophagus to relax and the protective mechanism developed by the stomach against the acid it produces itself to decrease. A study conducted in Italy showed that quitting smoking alone is much more beneficial to the healing of wounds in the esophagus and stomach than ulcer medications. Please quit smoking!
- We should avoid carbonated and acidic drinks. We should consume these as little as possible. z.
- We must get rid of our excess weight.
- We should not eat for at least 2, and on average 3-4 hours before going to bed.
- When we go to bed, instead of lying flat, we should cover our head and neck with a pillow. We should sleep by keeping it slightly elevated.
- Since alcohol, fatty and spicy foods increase stomach acid, we should stay away from them as much as possible.
- We should reduce our consumption of caffeinated foods, beverages and tea.
Yes, let's take a brief look at what doctors do after the measures I have mentioned and which I believe will change our lifestyle.
The primary choice of doctors is medical treatment. For this reason, we must use the drugs that reduce stomach acid, which we all use frequently, consciously or unconsciously, in the correct way, that is, as recommended by doctors. In addition, medications that facilitate flow from the esophagus to the stomach and medications that form a layer on the stomach fluid, are absorbed and chewed, should be used as directed by doctors.
In addition, the presence of the microbe called helicobacter in the stomach should be investigated through examinations and, if present, it should be treated. .
If complications occur or if our complaints do not go away despite medical treatment, treatment should be performed with surgery, which we call surgical treatment. In this method, the area between the stomach and the esophagus is reconstructed by laparoscopic (closed) or open surgery, using different techniques to prevent backflow from the stomach into the esophagus.
Compared to abroad, the surgical treatment option is used less in our country. This is due to the cold attitude of our people and doctors towards surgical methods. But especially in cases where medical treatment does not work, laparoscopic surgical techniques are rapidly expanding their field as a treatment option.
As people who know that the important thing is not to get sick rather than to treat the disease, let's not forget that we should change our lifestyle correctly, knowing that one in every two people encounter reflux. Changing direction is the ideal option. Because our health is entrusted first to ourselves and then to doctors.
Stay healthy
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