Understand Acid Reflux, GERD Diseases Affecting Students in Chuka University

By Muchiri Wawira

GERD disease is common with acid reflux symptoms.

What is GERD?

GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE is a chronic symptom of mucosal damage of the lower part of the esophagus caused by acid or the stomach content flowing up regularly into the esophagus, causing corrosion. The esophagus is a mucosal lining tube or canal of the gastrointestinal tract connecting the pharynx, where food and liquids pass through, to the stomach.

Widespread, it is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or, in British, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GORD) results in symptoms and complications. Lately, it has been on the rise among the students of Chuka University.

Students are likely to get the disease due to several lifestyles and environmental factors. These factors include dietary habits that include high consumption of acidic and spicy foods, such as fried foods and tomatoes, which trigger acid reflux.

Some of the common symptoms that are characterized with both GERD and Acid Reflux.

Another factor increasing the student’s susceptibility is stress and academic pressure from CATs, exams, assignments and financial struggles that lead to increased acid production in the stomach. This causes discomfort of the stomach and acid reflux, irritating the mucosa of the esophagus. A sedentary lifestyle causes weight gain due to a lack of physical activity.

 This increases pressure on the abdominal region and accelerates symptoms of acid reflux. Sleeping and posture habits are crucial in regulating GERD symptoms. Most students lie down immediately after having their meal, eventually leading to constituent and inadequate closure of the lower esophageal sphincter, causing stomach content to flow up into the esophagus.

The acid content in the chyme causes irritation, discomfort, and eventually damage to the mucosa of the esophageal lining. Other things also act as causals of GERD. They include medicines that cause damage leading to ulcers, chemical and physical injury, alcohol use causing wearing down of the mucosa, allergies, radiation treatment, vomiting and surgery.

From studies, several symptoms were listed down. These symptoms include heartburn, especially after eating or when lying down; regurgitation- sour-tasting liquid coming up the throat; chest discomfort associated with tightness; difficulty swallowing (Dysphagia), nausea or vomiting, sore throat and frequent burping and bloating. GERD is a long-term disease that should be treated at the earliest time of detected.

 If left untreated for long, it may cause esophagitis, which is a chronic inflammation of the esophagus, erosion of tooth enamel, worsening respiratory issues and esophageal ulcers. At this point, students are advised to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Since GERD is a treatable disease, affected Chuka University students are encouraged to have a diagnosis, treatment and education on certain risk factors.

 The risk factors include obesity, pregnancy, smoking and alcoholism, and medications that cause discomfort to the gut. On diagnosis, several methods are used. They include clinical evaluation of the symptoms before ordering tests. For severe symptoms, an upper endoscopy is done, where an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a camera, is inserted into the esophagus to detect inflammation, ulcers and strictures.

 For patients with persistent GERD symptoms despite normal acid levels, an impedance PH test is done, which detects non-acidic reflux as well as PH monitoring. Treatment methods include trying weight loss, lowering stress levels, improvement of diet by avoiding acidic and spicy foods, raising the head level of the bed to reduce esophageal closure, avoiding lying down immediately after eating and stopping smoking and drinking alcohol.

When lifestyle changes do not have enough effect, doctors may prescribe medications such as antacids and proton pump inhibitors; and for extremely severe cases, surgical treatment is done upon the rise of complications like Barrett’s esophagus that causes and increases the risk of esophageal cancer over time.