GERD up at alarming level in country, says expert
The in-charge of the Gastro Department and Senior Medical Officer at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, Dr. M. Arif Sikandri, has revealed that one in every five people in Pakistan is currently grappling with Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Common in Western countries due to various factors like consumption of alcohol and junk food, the disease is now rapidly spreading in Asian countries.
Speaking to a delegation from a health-focused social welfare institution, Dr. Sikandri advised that the symptoms of GERD should not be ignored, as the disease can lead to food poisoning and gastrointestinal complications.
GERD involves a defect in the esophageal sphincter, leading to the reflux of stomach acids and bile, resulting in symptoms such as indigestion, chest burning, stomach pain, post-meal heaviness, a bitter taste in the mouth, and belching.
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Dr. Arif detailed the contributing factors to GERD, citing lifestyle choices, delayed medication, cigarette and alcohol consumption, obesity, mental stress, intake of spicy and contaminated foods, along with chocolate, coffee, tomatoes, and fast foods. He underscored the necessity of lifestyle changes to prevent GERD.
For diagnosis, monitoring the patient's medical history, manometry, potential of hydrogen (pH) level, and endoscopy prove effective. If traditional medications are ineffective or the disease severity is high, modern treatment methods such as anti-reflux surgery, involving endoscopic mycosectomy ablation, may be done. Timely diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent the escalation of GERD, which could lead to esophageal cancer if ignored or left untreated.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2023.