How to exercise and take care of reflux esophagitis.

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 28, 2024
00:00
00:00

If you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you should eat small, frequent meals, consume more low-fat foods, quit smoking and drinking, not eat too much for dinner, and avoid lying down immediately after eating. It is important to adhere to medication and have regular check-ups.

If you experience a burning sensation behind the breastbone, and symptoms such as black stools, persistent pain that cannot be relieved, etc., you should seek medical attention promptly. Specific examination methods and medication should be carried out according to the doctor's instructions. Additionally, you should consume easily digestible foods and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
1min 6sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease?

The following are some symptoms: The most common and typical symptom is heartburn. It mainly manifests as a burning discomfort or pain behind the sternum and below the xiphoid process. This usually occurs about an hour after eating and may extend upward from the lower end of the sternum to the neck and between the shoulder blades, often accompanied by nausea. Another common symptom is acid reflux, which generally occurs more often on an empty stomach. Another symptom is chest pain, mainly caused by irritation of the esophageal mucosa leading to spasms. There is also difficulty swallowing, which is quite common; initially, it is often caused by a stress-induced spasm. In later stages, it is mostly due to the proliferation of fibrous tissue forming scars, leading to esophageal narrowing. Some less common symptoms include stomach bloating, pharyngitis, cough, asthma, and others.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
49sec home-news-image

How to deal with reflux esophagitis causing palpitations and a feeling of panic?

Patients with reflux esophagitis, if experiencing palpitations or a feeling of heart flutter, are advised to complete an electrocardiogram to rule out the possibility of heart disease. If heart disease causing these symptoms has been ruled out, then one may visit the hospital and consider taking oral proton pump inhibitors to suppress stomach acid secretion, reducing the erosive impact of acid reflux on the esophagus. Additionally, one can take protective agents for the stomach and esophageal mucosa, such as magnesium trisilicate, etc. The specific choice of medication and dosage should be used under the guidance of a doctor. Patients with reflux esophagitis should avoid alcohol, strong tea, coffee, etc.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 12sec home-news-image

Is reflux esophagitis serious?

Reflux esophagitis can be observed during an endoscopy as changes in the esophageal mucosa, including hyperemia, edema, erosion, and ulcers. The severity is graded based on the size of the erosion and ulcers, with smaller areas indicating milder conditions and larger areas indicating more severe conditions. An endoscopy can definitively diagnose reflux esophagitis, whose main symptoms include upper abdominal pain, chest pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. The treatment primarily involves acid suppression, protection of the stomach lining, and promoting gastric motility, with a treatment duration of about six to eight weeks. Dietary considerations include avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, not consuming strong tea or coffee, and avoiding spicy, stimulating, fried, and barbecued foods that are difficult to digest.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
47sec home-news-image

Can gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis be detected by a CT scan?

Reflux esophagitis generally cannot be detected on a CT scan unless it is very severe, at which point it may be evident on a CT. Diagnosis of reflux esophagitis is primarily through gastroscope examination, where damage and erosion of the esophageal mucosa can be observed. Patients with severe reflux esophagitis may experience symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, and a burning sensation behind the sternum. Additional diagnostic methods include upper gastrointestinal barium meal imaging and tissue pathology biopsy. An electrocardiogram can also be performed to rule out the possibility of conditions such as angina.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
57sec home-news-image

Can grade C reflux esophagitis be cured?

Patients with Grade C reflux esophagitis can be cured; there is no need for excessive anxiety. Grade C indicates that the lesions of the esophageal mucosa are confluent but involve less than 75% of the esophageal circumference. Treatment for patients with Grade C reflux esophagitis requires regular medication, and the course of treatment may be relatively long. Consider using proton pump inhibitors to suppress gastric acid secretion and aluminum magnesium carbonate to protect the esophageal and gastric mucosa. Medications that enhance esophageal and gastric motility, such as mosapride, can also be considered. The choice, dosage, and administration of specific drugs should be under the guidance of a doctor. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)