Symptoms of GERD: the Importance of Initial Diagnosis

Few people are aware of the medical significance of GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) and the symptoms that they have. Decline in general well-being is the result for many people suffering from GERD. For inhabitants of developed countries, the problem is widespread. No less than 20% of all inhabitants in western countries suffer from some of the common GERD symptoms at least every seven days.

From different data available, some 70% of diagnostics based on the identification of common symptoms give the right answer. Because GERD can make patients suffer enormously and also result in serious complications, it is crucial to be able to pinpoint the symptoms, diagnose them and quickly organize a solution. Doctors and paraprofessionals are of the same opinion: a first diagnosis of GERD, often via a questionnaire on typical external signs of gastro esophageal reflux disease, is essential for effective and quick treatment of this ailment.

Heartburn and regurgitation are among the typical symptoms of GERD. It is the contents of the stomach and its acids, being thrown back up in the esophagus, that causes the distressing burning feeling associate to injury of the esophageal lining in the case of gastro esophageal reflux disease. Symptoms of GERD may also include: nose and sinus symptoms, chest pain (can be mistaken for cardiac-related pain), dry coughing, wheezing chronically, asthma, nausea, decay of tooth enamel, bad breath, and dysphagia (impression of a lump in the back of the throat). Acid reflux may also attack the ears (otitis media) and the vocal cords (laryngitis, hoarseness and cancer).

The ability to recognize those symptoms in evidence of gastro esophageal reflux disease is critical for regaining health and well being as well as preventing possible complications.

Symptoms of acid reflux are often an outer danger sign of internal general imbalance. Neglecting gastro esophageal reflux disease can result in major physical distress and may also cause severe health problems like cancer of the esophagus and pneumonia. Luckily, victims can identify the greater part of GERD symptoms before seeing a doctor. If a symptom (or several of them) occur regularly, the recommendation is to consult a gastrointestinal specialist for a full diagnosis.

Although a gastrointestinal endoscopist can give a professional initial diagnosis, classical medicine as a solution for gastro esophageal reflux has two important negative points:

1. Life long reliance on drugs can be the result because a daily dose is required to stop symptoms, but no action is taken on fixing the real causes. Medicaments that sufferers can obtain as prescriptions and over the counters only act on the outer disease symptoms, but acid reflux is a much deeper problem, being the result of a collection of different inner and outer aspects. 2. Some drugs such as PPIs and antacids also generate multiple undesirable side effects.

Holistic solution are a much more effective answer and work for the long term. Whatever your degree of GERD affliction is, tackling this condition by using a holistic program will ensure that the basic causes of your acid reflux problem are dealt with securely and with permanence, to significantly better your well being. The holistic program that targets the factors that are both internal and external and that trigger acid reflux, also resolves the underlying problem responsible for this condition.