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Left untreated, acid reflux will continue to damage your oesophagus and create other complications. There are 3 main types of medicines used to treat GORD. It is important to begin treating GORD as soon as possible after diagnosis. pH monitoring – this involves using an acid monitor (a thin tube with a sensor at one end) to measure acidity levels in your oesophagus.an endoscopy – this involves having an endoscope (a flexible tube with a tiny video camera and light at one end) passed through your mouth down into your stomach to examine the lining of your digestive tract.A diagnosis of GORD is highly likely if regular and ongoing heartburn is your main symptom. Further tests may be required to work out how severe your GORD is or whether there is any damage to your oesophagus.
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See your doctor if you are having heartburn regularly and ongoing. To make a diagnosis of GORD, your doctor will take your medical history and conduct a physical examination. acidic fruits and vegetables, like citrus or tomatoes.These may lead to reflux of stomach contents, including acid and sometimes bile, into your oesophagus.įoods that can make the symptoms of GORD worse include: A hiatus hernia is where the upper part of your stomach is pushed up into your upper chest cavity through an opening in your diaphragm, affecting the functioning of the lower oesophageal sphincter. GORD in smokers is also thought to be caused by frequent coughing leading to hiatus hernia. Nicotine can cause the muscles of the lower oesophageal sphincter to relax which may allow reflux to occur. This normally goes away at the end of the pregnancy. Many women get heartburn during later stages of pregnancy, when your womb pushes up against your stomach. This is thought to be due to extra pressure being put on the lower oesophageal sphincter by the weight resting on your stomach. Other risk factors include pregnancy, smoking, abnormalities of your oesophagus and eating certain foods.
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As your body mass index (BMI) increases, so does your risk of developing GORD. One of the main risk factors for GORD is being overweight. severe chest pain which may be mistaken for a heart attack.mouth or throat symptoms such as gum problems, bad breath, sore throat or hoarseness.
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