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 should you know about vaccines
Vaccines can be very effective and safe ways to stay healthy. Vaccines provide immunity against certain diseases. Vaccinations can be given at specific times throughout your childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. Your doctor will advise you when it is best for you to be vaccinated.
What are the three main objectives of a healthcare program?
The three most important goals of a healthcare system should be to provide care for patients at an affordable cost, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs.
These goals have been incorporated into a framework known as Triple Aim. It is based in part on Institute of Healthcare Improvement's (IHI) research. This was published by IHI in 2008.
This framework is meant to show that if we concentrate on all three goals together, then we can improve each goal without compromising the other.
Because they don't compete with one another, this is why. They support one another.
For example, improving access to care means fewer people die due to being unable to pay for care. This helps to lower the overall cost of healthcare.
It is also important to improve the quality and cost of care. It improves outcomes.
What is an infectious disease?
Infectious disease can be caused by germs (bacteria or viruses) Infectious disease spreads quickly when people come in close proximity. Examples include measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), chickenpox, strep throat, tuberculosis, influenza, polio, hepatitis A and B, HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex virus, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
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)
- About 14 percent of Americans have chronic kidney disease. (rasmussen.edu)
- Price Increases, Aging Push Sector To 20 Percent Of Economy". (en.wikipedia.org)
- The healthcare sector is one of the largest and most complex in the U.S. economy, accounting for 18% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020.1 (investopedia.com)
- 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)
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How To
What is the Healthcare Industry Value Chain
The entire value chain of the healthcare industry includes all activities involved with providing healthcare services to patients. This includes all the business processes that occur within hospitals and clinics as well as the supply chains that link them to other providers, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists or insurance companies. The end result is a continuum, which begins with diagnosis and ends at discharge.
The four key components of the value chain are:
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Business Processes are the tasks carried out by employees throughout the entire health care delivery process. A physician might order medication for a patient, then perform an examination. Each step must be done correctly and efficiently.
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Supply Chains are all the organizations responsible for making sure the right supplies reach their intended recipients at the right time. One hospital may have many suppliers. This includes pharmacies and lab testing facilities as well as imaging centers and janitorial staff.
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Networked Organizations (NO) - In order to coordinate the various entities, communication must exist between all parts of the system. Hospitals are often composed of many departments. Each department will have its own set office and telephone number. To ensure that everyone is up to date, every department will have a central point from which employees can access updates.
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Information Technology Systems- IT is vital in ensuring smooth business processes. Without it things would quickly fall apart. IT can also be used to integrate new technologies into a system. For example, doctors can use a secure network connection if they want to integrate electronic medical records into their workflow.