How Stomach and GERD are interlinked?

Nowadays most common disease of the stomach is GERD. Read more to know how it is linked with the Stomach and acidity.

Posted by Rukhma Khalid on October 2, 2022

The j-shaped organ in our body is called the stomach, which is helpful in the digestion of food. It contains digestive juice and many enzymes (amylase, protease, lipase, maltase, etc) for the breakdown of food. however, the key part of our gastrointestinal tract (GI) tract is the stomach. The GI tract runs from mouth to anus. Any disturbance in this tract causes different conditions like GERD.

Normal Stomach functions and GERD:

Some function of the stomach is described below:

  1. Peristalsis movement helps in the movement of food into the stomach. So, the stomach is composed of 3 layers (outer, middle, and inner mucosa layer). These layers help in mixing the food with stomach secretion. Due to motility undigested wastes move out from the body through the rectum.
  2. Stomach's main function is to release enzymes and hormones for the digestion of food and after that, it will transfer the food into the small intestine. So, hormones give signals to the brain for the production of digestive juice. The Mucosa layer of the stomach contains many gastric glands. These glands produce gastric juice for example gastrin.
  3. Nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, etc metabolize into small digestible pieces. However, after digestion, these pieces enter the bloodstream and play an important role in the functioning of the body. Any disturbance in the normal function of the stomach may lead to conditions like GERD.

What is Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach:

It is a digestive disorder in your lower esophageal sphincter. But if the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly the stomach content moves upward and causes burning in the lining of the esophagus. This backward movement causes burning or GERD. If you have already asthma then GERD will worsen the effects of asthma. It also causes allergic reactions and our body is more sensitive to the cold air and smoke.

Are GERD and heartburn the same thing?

People who have heart bur more the two to three times a week may experience GERD. It is a more serious condition of acid reflux.

Relation between Stomach Sphincter and Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):

The stomach contains muscular valves called sphincters. So,these lower esophageal sphincters L-E-S are used to disconnect the stomach and esophagus connection. If the sphincter does not properly close, liquid in the stomach and food move backward and cause heartburn (pyrosis)and other complications like GERD.

Symptoms of GERD :

It is cause by persistent acid reflux from the stomach. There are many conditions that cause GERD: It includes

  1. Obesity
  2. Smoking and drinking alcohol, coffee
  3. Hiatal hernia
  4. Laryngitis
  5. Scleroderma
  6. Delaying in stomach emptiness
  7. Eating late at night
  8. Eating certain fatty and fried foods
  9. Taking medication like aspirin
  10. Pregnancy

How Obesity causes Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?:

If a GERD person is more obese then the symptoms of this disease will appear worse. In 2010 Gastroenterology journal published that weight loss through physical activity and calories will decrease the symptoms of GERD. When bdominal fatness is reduced so GERD symptoms and heartburn also decreases.

How do Smoking, alcohol, and Coffee cause Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Consumption of alcohol, smoking, and coffee reduces the pressure on the esophageal sphincter. Tobacco smoking can reduce the production of saliva (rich in bicarbonates). Saliva is very important in buffering and clearing the acid in the esophagus. Alcohol also affects the esophageal mucosa, which triggers reflux.

How Hiatal hernia causes Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?:

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach bulges up through the diaphragm in the chest cavity. It causes weakness in muscle tissue around the esophageal sphincter. Due to this weakness of muscles GERD symptoms may appear, which increase the reflux.

How Scleroderma causes Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomch?:

If it is not treated properly then it causes esophagitis and esophageal ulceration. So, ultimately leads to esophageal cancer. Is causes worse GERD because after eating stomach remains fill with toxic material.

How does eating late at night cause Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?:

You are eating before bedtime, you don’t give time to the stomach for digestion of food. Your food is inside the stomach, which causes pressure on LES. When LES is open, they cause acid reflux symptoms.

How Eating certain fatty and fried foods causes Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?:

Fatty food relaxes your lower esophageal sphincter and they also slow down the emptying of the stomach. Due to both reasons, acid reflux increases and you may experience GERD.

How medication causes disturbance in stomach and Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?:

Different medicine and supplements cause irritation in the lining of the esophagus and also increase the heart-burning process. For example Iron and potassium supplements, Quinidine, aspirin, tetracycline and clindamycin, and alendronate

How pregnancy causes Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?:

Many hormones are produced in pregnancy that are use to which slows down the digestive system. Muscles involves in the movement of food from the esophagus to the stomach are slowe down. So, the growth of the uterus causes pressure on the stomach, which causes stomach acid moves backward in the esophagus.

What should Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients eat?

They should eat oatmeal, green vegetables, sweet potatoes, brown rice, carrot, green beans, broccoli, and asparagus.

What should Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients avoid in eating?

People should avoid chocolate, garlic, onion, spicy and fatty food, chili, and citrus food.

How long Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be treated?

In minor cases one month is required, in moderate cases, six to twelve months are required.So, Some patients need surgery and proper medications.

What is the treatment for the cure of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) of stomach?

The doctor recommends different medications for the treatment of GERD and relieves symptoms. Because ,some proton pump inhibitors, antacids, and H2 blockers are used for the reduction of stomach acid. In some patients, surgery is important to treat this disease GERD. Lifestyle also has an effect to lower the symptoms of GERD.

  1. During sleeping elevate your head from 6 to 8 inches from the bed
  2. Lose your weight
  3. Do not lie down after immediate eating.
  4. Avoid heavy meals at night
  5. Decrease alcohol intake and also decrease smoking.