Evaluation of GERD
When a patient experiences symptoms of GERD, the condition can be monitored
in a number of ways. This helps to know the actual cause of GERD
and enables one to identify the abnormalities and severity of the
condition.
One such method of evaluating the causes of the condition is oesophageal motility
testing. In this method a narrow tube is passed to oesophagus through
the nose. The patient is made to drink water to allow the muscles
to contract and relax. As the muscles contract around the oesophagus,
some pressure is developed and this pressure is detected by the
tube. This method is useful to check for proper functioning of oesophageal
muscles as well as to check their effectiveness. Oesophageal motility
testing helps evaluate the symptoms which do not respond to conventional
GERD treatment. The defects in the muscular contractions which are
the causes of acid reflux are also detected by this method. Hence
this method can identify the root causes of the patient's problems.
Gastric Emptying study is another effective way of evaluating GERD
which helps in locating the main cause of trouble. The inability
of the stomach to empty its contents at proper speed is often the
cause of GERD in most patients. Such patients often experience symptoms
like vomiting and regurgitation. Gastric Emptying Study helps to
detect whether the stomach is effective enough in emptying the contents.
The patients are made to intake food which contains radioactive
matter. A machine known as the Geiger machine is used to check the
speed at which the stomach empties the contents. In case the speed
of emptying is considerably low, the patients are treated with medicines
which speed up the emptying process.
For patients with complaints of chest pain, acid perfusion test
helps to determine if the cause of chest pain is acid reflux. In
this test, a tube is passed through the nostril into the oesophagus.
A solution made by mixing of acidic and salty solution is then alternatively
passed through the tube. This is done to check the response of the
patient to acidic solutions. On passing the solution, if the patient
starts getting chest pain, then the cause of chest pain is acid
reflux. This method is not found to be that effective and hence
in a majority of cases oesophageal PH study is commonly used to
study the patients' condition.
With proper monitoring and evaluation at the right time, the complications
associated with GERD can be avoided and the discomforts can be reduced.
The field of medicine has now advanced to a great extent. With a
number of tests and treatments available, detecting the cause and
analyzing the condition is easier. Doctors are now in a very good
position to treat the patients suffering from GERD. Hence it is
advisable to consult a doctor and seek medical help immediately
when you find symptoms of GERD. Following the treatment will surely
be beneficial.
.
Acid reflux news on the Web
Anti-Hypertensive Drugs To Enhance Esophageal Contraction (Medical News Today)
Nifedipine, a calcium-channel blocker, was shown to decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure and increase esophageal acid exposure time, while atenolol, a b1 blocker, was shown to inhibit relaxation of the smooth muscle of the esophagus. However, the influence of these anti-hypertensive drugs on the segment of esophageal body contraction using high-resolution manometry was not fully ... |
Dr. Paul Donohue: Dark beer won't prevent colon cancer (Detroit News)
Dear Dr. Donohue: Several years ago, I read that dark beer prevents colon cancer. Since then, I've been drinking Guinness, one of the darkest I know of. I drink two bottles a week. Recently I read an article that said any type of beer could cause many types of cancer. Is there any truth to either? |
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