The gastroesophageal reflux disease (ERGE) It is a digestive disorder that occurs when the contents of the stomach repeatedly rise towards the esophagus, causing discomfort or complications. It occurs because the valve that separates the oesophagus The lower esophageal sphincter, which is located in the stomach, does not adequately prevent the passage of gastric contents.
This causes the acid and other stomach components to enter contact with the esophagus, causing symptoms that can appear especially after eating or when lying down.
It can manifest with:
- Acidity or burning sensation (gastritis): Burning sensation that rises from the stomach towards the chest.
- Regurgitation: Return of stomach contents to the throat or mouth.
- Chest discomforts: especially after meals or when you go to bed.
- Persistent cough or irritation of the throat: Symptoms that in some cases may be related to reflux.
Practical example: frequent acidity after eating
A person may begin to notice burning in the chest after large meals or when lying down shortly after dinner. At first, these discomforts may appear sporadically, but over time they become more frequent.
In addition, you may notice that the food or acid from the stomach rises towards the throat, leaving an acidic taste in the mouth. When these symptoms recur and affect your rest or daily activities, they may indicate the presence of ERGE and require a specific assessment.
ERGE and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux
ERGE is part of the Digestive disorders Related to the reflux of stomach contents back into the esophagus. Although it is normal to experience some isolated episodes of reflux, the problem occurs when these episodes cause frequent discomfort or complications.
This can not only affect daily well-being, but also rest and nutrition. In some cases, continued exposure to acid can cause inflammation of the esophagus, known as esophagitis.
The diagnosis is based on the evaluation of the symptoms and, when necessary, in specific tests such as Esophageal pHmetry, which allows measuring the exposure of the esophagus to acid, or the Gastroscopy, This helps detect possible lesions in the mucosa.