Dr. Nazmul Hasan BHMS

What is it?
Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which food or liquid travels backwards from the stomach to the esophagus (the tube from mouth cavity to the stomach). This action can irritate the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.

Why it occurs?
When we swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter i.e. the circular band of muscles around the bottom part of esophagus relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into our stomach. Then it closes again. If this valve does not close properly, food and liquid can move backwards into the esophagus and cause heartburn.

Is there any factors which may worsen the symptoms of GERD?

# Obesity # Habit of taking food now and then # Habit of drinking Alcohol # Habit of Smoking # Lying down immediately after a meal # Spicy food, caffeine, chocolate, carbonated beverages # Habit of taking raw onions, green chili, dry chili. # Habit of taking green fibrous fruits at late of the day # Certain medications such as sedatives, painkillers/analgesic and calcium channel blockers may cause GERD

When will you go to a Doctor?

# Heartburn: Burning sensation in the chest which worsens on bending, stooping, lying down or eating #Symptoms are more during the night, usually early night. #Regurgitation of food, water or sour eructation #Belching and vomiting, sometimes nausea for long #Chest pain especially at night while lying down #Cough with wheezing in some cases #Sore throat and Hoarseness of voice # Occasional heaviness of head and vertigo found in some cases # In severe cases, sometime patient become very restless with high blood pressure
Any Complications?

#Distended abdomen with uneasiness # Increase the incidence of Apthus Ulcer                  # Stomatitis and Inflammation of Mouth cavity # Inflammation of the esophagus (oesophagitis), if not treated for long # Narrowing of esophagus (Stricture), if inflammation not treated # Broncho-spasm # Slightly increased risk of esophageal cancer and etc.

Any Investigations needed?  
Primary diagnosis can be made on the basis of signs and symptoms. In some cases image study of the gastro-intestinal tract done to exclude any obstructive complain or any structural or any complicated state of the patient. An Endoscopy can tell the real picture more accurately than any other examination. But in normal or initial cases endoscopy is not needed. Continuous esophageal pH monitoring showing reflux.

How Homeopathy Could Help?
Patients suffering from GERD do not have to depend on antacids if they are treated by homeopathy which treats without side effects. Constitutional homeopathic medicine is prescribed after taking into account a person’s physical, emotional and psychological makeup. His likes and dislikes ups and downs which he has suffered in his life, any stress which he presently is going through. All these factors are essential in finding out a correct remedy. Further damage to the esophageal tissue is avoided as the patient feels better mentally and physically.

How Acupuncture Could help?

With proper tongue diagnosis acupuncture points could be selected. As per various experiences we could try LI4, St34, and Sp9 for regulation of digestion.