Cough is not necessarily caused by a cold. If there is still chest pain, it may be caused by gastroesophageal reflux. Recently, the gastroenterology clinic found that the number of patients seeking treatment due to gastroesophageal reflux increased by about 20% due to overeating and staying up late often during the new year. In particular, falling asleep after eating is one of the common factors causing gastroesophageal reflux.
worsening of gastroesophageal reflux may lead to esophageal cancer
Kang Benchu, an attending physician in the gastroenterology, hepatobiliary Department of Shutian clinic, points out that the sphincter at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach can prevent gastric contents from flowing back to the esophagus, but this sphincter occasionally closes loosely, causing gastric contents to flow back to the esophagus. When this reflux causes disturbing symptoms, or causes inflammation and injury to the esophageal mucosa, it is a gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux include: burning heart, acid vomiting, sore throat, chest pain, foreign body sensation in throat, swallowing discomfort, chronic cough, etc. Once gastroesophageal reflux occurs, if it is not well controlled, it will slow down the disease, and various complications may occur, including chronic pharyngitis, hoarseness, esophageal ulcer and stenosis. More serious may produce a precancerous lesion called Barre’s esophagus, or even deteriorate into esophageal cancer. Don’t be careless!
gastroesophageal reflux is prone to occur: lying flat with too much food and falling asleep
Gastroesophageal reflux often occurs in those who are obese, smoke, drink coffee, eat fast, and have abnormal meals. In addition, it is also more likely to occur in those who have a relevant medical history, or who often eat and sleep at night. Overweight obesity will increase abdominal pressure, which is an important factor causing gastroesophageal reflux; After eating, the secretion of gastric acid increases, and the contents of the stomach may flow back to the esophagus when lying flat, causing gastroesophageal reflux.
gastroesophageal reflux diet health care tips
In addition to diet control, avoid gastroesophageal reflux, including eating less acidic foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, and avoiding coffee, alcohol, chocolate and desserts. And eat less high-fat food that is not easy to digest: such as fried chicken legs, fried fish, French fries, oily rice and whole milk. Besides, don’t eat 2 hours before bed and don’t lie on the sofa after dinner. And adopt the principle of eating a small number of meals, and eating only 7 points at a meal. If the uncomfortable symptoms persist, you should go to the gastroenterology clinic for further examination and treatment.
Leave a Reply