How
Chronic Indigestion And Acid Reflux Is Diagnosed
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GERD or gastro
esophageal reflux disease is what many people commonly refer
to as acid reflux disease. This is an illness in which the
liquefied contents of the stomach back up into a person
esophagus. The regurgitated stomach contents contain acids
and pepsin which can cause a very severe damage to the
esophagus, although severe damage only happens in a small
amount of cases. Once you get acid reflux disease you will
likely have it for a long time because it is a chronic
condition. Once the esophagus becomes damaged it is also a
chronic condition. Treatments can be performed to improve
the state of the esophagus however once treatment is stopped
the symptoms and problems can return within a matter of
weeks. When diagnosing acid reflux disease there are five
specific ways your doctor will help determine if you have
GERD. |
Acid reflux disease
has one common symptom, heartburn. If a doctor believes your
heartburn is being caused by acid reflux disease then they will
often prescribe a medicine for you that will help stop the
production of acid in your stomach. If your condition stops then
it is assumed you were suffering from acid reflux disease.
However, this first form of diagnoses can sometimes be
unreliable.
The second way of
diagnosing acid reflux disease is through an endoscopy. During this
procedure a tube is swallowed which allows your doctor to see exactly
what is happening inside the esophagus. However, those with acid
reflux disease will often have a normal looking esophagus. Therefore,
this method of diagnosis typically only works in those people who have
had acid reflux for so long that the esophagus has become damaged.
Although if an ulcer or other ailment is causing the problem then this
diagnosis may work.
Biopsies are the third
option. These are typically used to search for cancer in the
esophagus. It is used to diagnosis acid reflux disease but it can also
determine alternate causes of the symptoms.
The fourth option is an
examination of the throat and larynx to help diagnosis acid reflux
disease. If either the throat or the larynx is inflamed then this can
indicate if the patient has acid reflux disease but inflammation can
be caused by a number of other symptoms.
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The final option
is esophageal acid testing which is probably the best and
most accurate way to determine if a person is suffering from
acid reflux disease. It is also a less obtrusive method as
well. In this procedure a tube is placed through the nose
and into the esophagus where it stays for twenty-four hours.
There is a sensor at the end of the tube that measures the
amount of acid reflux a person suffers from in a twenty-four
hour period.
Depending on the
seriousness or your condition or how long you have
experience symptoms a doctor may decide to do several of the
above tests. The test may also be conducted in various
orders to help rule out several reasons for you acid reflux.
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