GERD is a medical condition which causes the stomach contents to leak backwards from stomach into the esophagus. This is a condition that can irritate the esophagus and even cause heartburn. This is a disease that can infect anyone, like infants or children. It is important to get it treated in time to avoid serious health problems. There are certain myths attached to the same as stated below.
Avoiding certain foods can help cure GERD.
Many people suffering from GERD believe themselves to be responsible for their heartburn. This belief originated from the myth that lifestyle habits, certain foods, beverages can actually increase the heartburn symptoms. Though it seems like common sense, that the more spicy or hard to digest foods you eat, you are more likely to produce more acid in the digestive tract; heartburn is a medical condition which is caused by other biological causes. Even with a lifestyle and diet change, the condition will remain the same. A bland diet may appear to be good, but it alone will not cure heartburn caused by GERD.
Some acidic foods like orange juice does indeed trigger heartburn in GERD sufferers. The reason behind this is not the acid content or amount of acid. Even, the non acidic orange juice can cause problems . So, it is recommended to undergo treatment and alongside follow a bland diet. Clubbing these two things together helps to cure GERD faster.
Acid reflux (GERD) patients should keep the bed raised.
Another old myth suggests that Gastroesophageal reflux disease patients must keep the bed raised or sleep sitting up or sleep with extra pillows under the head. Some patients who get nocturnal regurgitation may find this useful, however not all may find it to be working. Recent studies have rather found that sleeping on the left side is a better way to avoid nighttime heartburn. This happens because sleeping on the right side makes the acid take longer to clear out of your esophagus which increases heartburn symptoms. The acid can slip back into your esophagus more often if you lay on your back. But sleeping with your head elevated using a wedge pillow will keep the acid in your stomach. Another useful process is by using a wedge pillow on the right side.Weight does not make a difference.
Initially, the myth was that losing weight helps to relieve GERD. It was considered a myth because until recently there was not enough evidence to prove this to be a fact. So it was considered that weight does not make a difference in GERD. But recent researches have proven that losing weight actually helps relieve GERD.
Another very strong evidence has emerged that acid reflux increases when you gain weight. This is true for all overweight or obese patients, normal weight patients and even underweight patients. This happens because with the increase of body mass index, you start to show an increased prevalence of symptoms of reflux disease. While in the converse, losing weight, decreases the likelihood of reflux symptoms. Weight reduction alone will not cure your GERD, but it’ll certainly help a lot.
Excess acid formation in the body causes acid reflux or heartburn.
This is another misconception. The problem in GERD is not the amount of acid. The amount of acid produced in a GERD sufferer’s stomach is usually normal. The problem is that the acid is in the wrong location. Instead of staying in the stomach, the acid moves into the esophagus. Now the probable doubt would be that what is the significance of medications which the doctors prescribe to reduce stomach acid if excess acid is not the actual problem. The reason behind it is that there is no medicine to keep the acid in the right place or effectively stop the acid from dropping back in the esophagus. So, medicines are given to reduce the acid, because lack of acid in the stomach will force the digestive tract to use it all up and nothing would be left to slip into the esophagus.GERD has only one complication of the esophagus.
This is an absolutely wrong myth. Even though heartburn is the most well known symptom in GERD patients, it is not the only complication. Recent studies suggest that only GERD causes or exacerbates asthma. The problem is worsened by the fact that asthma and asthma medications also cause or aggravate GERD in return.
Other complications include hoarseness in the throat or around the vocal cords caused by irritation from acid reflux. Patients may also experience chronic cough and sore throat.
Too much stress causes GERD.
It’s like sugar and diabetes. Sugar is not the cause of diabetes, but it can worsen the condition of a diabetes patient. Similarly, stress is not the cause of heartburn but it can worsen a heartburn. The stress can both be physical and/or mental. Extreme physical stress while undergoing severe illness or injury, can cause immense heartburn and even develop ulcer with time. Same goes with mental stress. Extreme mental stress and anxiety can increase the symptoms of acid reflux. So the right thing to say would be too much stress worsens GERD.GERD is beyond treatment.
This is no more a truth. Although, earlier this might have been a fact. Nowadays, it’s only a myth. You can definitely help your GERD and heartburn. General treatment includes prescription medications and over the counter remedies along with subtle changes in diet and lifestyle. You can keep a Heartburn record to find out what might be triggering your heartburn.Acid suppressing medicines will cause indigestion.
Since there is no direct medication for the acid in esophagus, medicines are prescribed to lower the production of acid in the stomach. Hence patients tend to think that acid suppressing medicines may cause indigestion. But here’s the fact that while our bodies do produce acid for digestion, there are other substances in the stomach too which help to break down the food e.g enzymes. Medications like proton pump inhibitors, work significantly in reducing the production of acid but enough acid is still present in the stomach for digestion.Heartburn/GERD is not a serious disease.Statistics indicate that about 60 million Americans suffer from GERD experience an induced heartburn at an average of once or twice a month. Hence, people tend to think that GERD is a common disease like flu and is not really serious. This is a serious mistake. GERD should not be taken lightly. Chronic heartburn can cause many complications and can also make a serious impact on an individual’s life. It is important to treat it properly , else it can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal strictures, erosive esophagitis and even esophageal cancer.
