If you have heartburn and reflux, you may be diagnosed with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). This happens when acid from your stomach comes up into the esophagus. This is a common condition, but it can be serious when left untreated.
Symptoms of GERD include frequent heartburn, nausea and trouble swallowing. They can also be accompanied by chest pain and cough. In severe cases, the esophagus can be damaged or ulcerated.
Diagnosis of GERD isn't always easy, but it's not impossible. Doctors use a variety of tests to help diagnose GERD and determine the best treatment for you.
The first thing a gastroenterologist does is ask you to describe your symptoms and what causes them. Your doctor can then do a physical exam to look at your neck, throat and stomach. Then your doctor will check the function of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the valve between the esophagus and the stomach.
If the LES doesn't work well, food can travel back up into your esophagus, causing acid to be released. It's very common for this to happen after a large meal, but it can also occur when you lie down or are stressed.
Tests for GERD
The most common test doctors use to diagnose GERD is an acid reflux test. This is a simple, noninvasive procedure that involves drinking a liquid and then having x-rays taken. It won't detect mild irritation, but will detect problems such as a hiatal hernia and narrowing of the esophagus, which can cause GERD to worsen.
You may be given a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to suppress stomach acid production, which is one of the most effective treatments for GERD. The PPIs lansoprazole and omeprazole have been shown to be more effective than antacids in treating chronic acid reflux.
Your doctor will also want to see how often you have symptoms, such as heartburn or regurgitation. Symptoms that are more than once a week may indicate you need to visit a gastroenterologist for further evaluation.
Medications for GERD
Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication, such as a PPI or a nitrate, to help relieve the symptoms of GERD. They may also suggest a lifestyle change, such as eating smaller meals with more frequent snacks.
Avoiding foods and drinks that make GERD worse can help. Those with GERD should reduce or eliminate the consumption of alcohol, chocolate, peppermint, caffeine and fatty or spicy foods. They should also avoid tight-fitting clothing, as this can put pressure on the lower esophageal ring and lead to reflux.
Prevention of GERD
A diet that helps prevent GERD includes avoiding large, heavy meals at least three times a day and reducing the amount of fat. You should also eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
If your GERD is severe, your doctor might suggest laparoscopic antireflux surgery or a LINX device implantation to strengthen the lower esophageal duct. These procedures are minimally invasive and can be used to treat people who don't respond to other medications.
FAQ
What is a health care system in public health?
The entire process of providing medical services to the population is called Health System. It includes service delivery and financing, regulation, education and training, as well information systems.
How can we improve our health care system?
We can improve health care by ensuring that everyone is provided high-quality medical care, no matter where they are located or what their insurance status.
It is important that we ensure that all children get the necessary vaccines to prevent them from getting diseases such as rubella, measles, and mumps (MMR).
We must continue to work towards reducing the cost of health care while ensuring that it remains accessible for all.
What are the major functions of a system for health care?
The health care system should provide adequate medical facilities for people who need them at a reasonable cost while ensuring access to quality services by all.
This includes providing preventive care, encouraging healthy lifestyles and the appropriate treatment. This includes equitable distribution of health resources.
Statistics
- Healthcare Occupations PRINTER-FRIENDLY Employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.6 million new jobs. (bls.gov)
- Price Increases, Aging Push Sector To 20 Percent Of Economy". (en.wikipedia.org)
- Consuming over 10 percent of [3] (en.wikipedia.org)
- Over the first twenty-five years of this transformation, government contributions to healthcare expenditures have dropped from 36% to 15%, with the burden of managing this decrease falling largely on patients. (en.wikipedia.org)
- For the most part, that's true—over 80 percent of patients are over the age of 65. (rasmussen.edu)
External Links
How To
How to Locate Home Care Facilities
People who need help at home will benefit from the services of home care providers. Home care facilities assist those with chronic illnesses, such as Alzheimer's, who can't move or are too elderly to leave their home. These services include personal hygiene and meal preparation, laundry, cleaning as well as medication reminders and transportation. These facilities often collaborate closely with social workers, rehabilitation specialists, and medical professionals.
Recommendations from family, friends, and local businesses or reviews online are the best ways to find a home-care service provider. After you've identified one or two providers you can start to ask about their qualifications, experience, and references. It is important to find a provider who can work flexible hours in order to fit your schedule. You can also ask if they offer 24-hour emergency service.
Your doctor or nurse might be able to refer you. If you don't know where to start looking, try searching online for "home health care" or "nursing home". You could, for example, use websites such Angie's List HealthGrades or Yelp.
You may also call your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or Visiting Nurse Service Association (VNA) for additional information. These organizations will be able to provide you with a list containing agencies in your local area that are specialized in home care services.
Finding a good home care agency is important because many companies charge high patient fees. Some agencies can charge as much as 100% of the patient's income. To avoid this problem, you should be sure to choose an agency that has been rated highly by the Better Business Bureau. Ask for references from clients who have used your agency before.
Some states require homecare agencies to register at the State Department of Social Services. You can check with your local government to find out which agency registration requirements apply.
There are several things to keep in mind when choosing a home care agency :
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Do not pay upfront for any services if you are being asked.
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Choose a well-established, reputable company.
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You should have proof of insurance, especially if your payment is out of pocket.
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Check that your state licenses the agency you are about to hire.
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Ask for a written contract detailing all costs involved in hiring the agency.
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Confirm that there are follow-up visits by the agency following your discharge.
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Ask for a list with certifications and credentials.
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Do not sign anything without reading it first.
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Pay attention to the fine print.
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Make sure the agency has insurance and is bonded.
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Ask how long this agency has been around.
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Verify that the State Department of Social Welfare has granted the agency a license.
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Find out if there have been any complaints about the agency.
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Your local government department can regulate home care agencies.
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Ensure that the staff member answering the phone is qualified to answer questions about home care.
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Talk to your accountant or attorney about the tax implications for home care.
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Always request at least three bids from each agency that you contact for home care.
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Accept the lowest offer, but don't settle for anything less than $30 per an hour.
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It is possible that you will need to visit more than one agency for home care each day.
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Read everything before signing any contracts.