Gut Health

Hi @gerdboss , GERD is treatable with a course of medication but may never truly recover. There are a few common reasons why people do not recover or have multiple episodes of discomfort/regurg/heartburn symptoms. (a) H Pylori Infection - This is the most common form of bacterial infection of the stomach that can result in GERD. Unfortunately the most accurate diagnosis can only be done through a scope with a biopsy done. The results are obtained the next day. Another method of screening is a "urea breath test" - which has a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 97%. Though it is quite a costly test and often not covered for insurance purposes. If symptoms persistent, some clinicians may choose to treat for it even without any investigations done. (b) Advanced disease - GERD typically has multiple stages which can only be determined with a scope. High grade disease typically present with more severe/persistent symptoms (c) Trigger avoidance - In general patients with persistent symptoms would be advised to avoid foods that are highly acidic e.g. citrus food, caffine (not just coffee) and spicy foods. These are the usual culprits for recurrent symptoms. Your physician may also ask you to keep a food diary to see what foods typically cause your symptoms - most patient are able to identify a trend. (d) Non compliance to medication course/Ineffective medication - Most courses of medications have to be taken over a 2- 4 week period daily, either once or twice a day. This treatment aims to attempt to "reset" the pH level of your gut. Some patients may require more potent medications (such as pantoprazole/esomeprazole) compared to traditional over the counter medication (such as gaviscon). Unfortunately the more potent medications are much more expensive and it would be more advisable to see a specialist first for preliminary investigations (e.g esomeprazole can be $7 per tablet).

Hi @Bertrand yes this complaint needs to be discussed with a GP. You can try having a preliminary discussion with a GP online via an app like DoctorWorld, however you may still be referred to a clinic in-person if they determine that you need to be examined.

Hi @igotz99problemz great question! Yes it is bad for acid reflux almost as much as it is impolite, although acid reflux can itself cause burping. If frequent burping is a problem you encounter, try eating slower, and avoid chewing gum, sucking on hard candies, and drinking carbonated drinks. If the problem persists or you develop pain or worsening reflux symptoms, you should see a GP or Gastroenterologist for further evaluation.

Hi @gerdboss great question! Asthma has many medications including several inhalers. Some of these inhalers work by relaxing smooth muscle, helping to alleviate asthmatic symptoms like wheeze by reducing bronchoconstriction. This can contribute to GERD through regular use in the long-term. However, if you find yourself needing to use these asthma relievers frequently, this means that your underlying asthma may need to be reviewed by a GP for consideration of asthma controllers, a different type of inhaler without this effect. However, I would add that acid reflux itself has many possible causes and can often be multifactorial, requiring the involvement of specialists to nail down the contributing causes. Contributing factors include obesity, tight clothing, and chronic alcohol consumption. If this is something you experience I would recommend seeing a GP to have a detailed discussion and examination for what could be the root cause to allay your concerns, as some patients may require tests for potential reversible causes of GERD to guide their management. Hope this helps!