Gastr-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the term used to describe chronic acid reflux.
Because stomach acid gushes back up into the oesophagus, it causes a painful burning sensation at the back of the throat. The symptoms are chest pain, hoarseness, and sore throats.
The strongest correlation has been found between acid reflux and obesity in caucasians and women. Obesity is linked to reflux oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus, and oesophageal cancer, and other complications
What is GERD?
GERD is a common disease which causes a burning sensation in the chest or the throat. The majority of individuals refer to this as heartburn and only rarely get it. But being overweight might make acid reflux worse. The burning feeling may potentially become chronic, which means it occurs frequently and requires medical attention.
The oesophagus and stomach are separated by the muscle known as the lower oesophageal sphincter, when the muscle becomes dysfunctional, it causes acid reflux. But if the muscle is functioning normally, it opens and lets food enter into the stomach. The sphincter closes once more to stop food from flowing backwards into the oesophagus after it has passed through.
People with GERD experience malfunction in the lower oesophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid and food digest partially to escape back into the oesophagus. This acid can irritate your oesophagus and produce burning, discomfort, and other symptoms. If there is a lot of reflux, vomiting could happen in certain situations.
Symptoms observed in patients with GERD
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Recurrent episodes of vomiting.
- Feeling satisfied fast.
- Appetite loss.
- A sense of burning in the centre of the chest,
- A sore throat.
Obesity and acid reflux
Numerous researches have demonstrated a direct connection between acid reflux and obesity. For instance, a 2003 study from Scandinavia revealed that GERD symptoms are six times more common in fat or overweight individuals than in non-obese individuals. It was discovered that this link was particularly strong in premenopausal women and those who had ever undergone hormone therapy, suggesting that hormones may be involved.
How obesity causes GERD?
Acid reflux can be caused by a variety of obesity-related reasons. It pushes the stomach contents when you carry excess weight around your belly, for example, since the pressure inside the abdomen increases. Some of your stomach is forced through the diaphragm and into your chest, causing increased acid reflux. This is known as a hiatal hernia.
Additionally, elevated pancreatic enzyme and bile levels in obese people can lead to stomach acid which is oesophageal irritation.
Can weight loss surgery reduce GERD symptoms?
There are various treatments available for reducing the symptoms of GERD but weight loss is the best for obese and overweight individuals. If you are reducing weight to decrease the symptoms of acid reflux or other GERD symptoms, keep in mind that the best thing is to make lifestyle changes like following a regular diet and regular physical activity can help you lose weight. If a patient has a hiatal hernia, the symptoms of reflux and GERD can be resolved by repairing the hernia concurrently with weight loss surgery.
Management strategies for GERD in obese patients
- Instead of addressing the underlying causes of acid reflux, clinicians have traditionally concentrated largely on managing the symptoms.
- Typically, they start by suggesting easy lifestyle adjustments like elevating the head of your bed, eliminating foods like chocolate and coffee, and taking drugs known as proton pump inhibitors.
- Reducing weight and changing one’s lifestyle are also advised. Patients who have quality of life concerns or refractory symptoms especially those who don’t improve with medication may be candidates for surgical surgery.
How to prevent GERD?
- Sustain a healthy weight.
- Avoid trigger foods and keep an eye on your diet.
- Eat less frequently and never right before bed.
- Raise the head of your mattress.
Conclusion
Obesity is not usually the result of GERD alone. Weight loss is best for GERD and obesity may increase the chance of developing GERD. Being overweight can exert on the abdomen, which can cause stomach acid to rise and enter the oesophagus.
The following lifestyle changes can help to manage weight and GERD, follow a healthy diet, include small and frequent meals, and avoid carbonated beverages and junk foods, alcohol, and spicy or fatty foods.
Nesha Felciya,
Clinical Dietitian, Simplyweight
