Gastroesophageal reflux treatment

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the reflux of stomach and duodenal contents into the esophagus causing symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux, and is classified into reflux esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease depending on whether it leads to esophageal mucosal erosion and ulceration. Gastroesophageal reflux should be treated promptly by a doctor. It is mainly divided into the following treatment modalities: 1. Patient education: ① Patients with structural damage or functional abnormalities of the lower esophageal sphincter LES should not lie down immediately after daytime meals; to reduce recumbency and nocturnal reflux, they should not eat within 3 hours before bedtime, and the head of the bed can be elevated by 15-20 cm. ② Pay attention to reducing factors that cause increased abdominal pressure, such as obesity, constipation, tight girdle, etc.; they should avoid eating foods that make LES pressure Avoid eating foods that lower LES pressure, such as high fat, chocolate, coffee, strong tea, etc. Avoid the application of drugs that lower LES pressure and drugs that cause delayed gastric emptying, such as nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers and anticholinergic drugs, etc. 2, drug therapy: ① pro-gastrointestinal dynamics drugs such as domperidone, mosapride, etopride, etc. These drugs may increase LES pressure, improve esophageal peristaltic function, promote gastric emptying, so as to reduce the reflux of gastric contents esophagus and reduce its exposure time in the esophagus. ②Anti-acid drugs are effective in reducing the effect of damaging factors and are currently the main measure for the treatment of this disease. For patients receiving treatment for the first time or those with esophagitis, treatment with PPI is appropriate in order to rapidly control symptoms and cure esophagitis. Antacids are only used for patients with mild symptoms and intermittent episodes as temporary relief of symptoms. 3. Maintenance therapy: GERD has a tendency to relapse chronically, so in order to reduce the recurrence of symptoms and prevent complications caused by the relapse of esophagitis, maintenance therapy can be given. Those who relapse soon after stopping the drug and whose symptoms persist often need a long course of maintenance therapy; those who have complications of esophagitis such as esophageal ulcer, esophageal stricture, Barrett’s esophagus, need a long course of maintenance therapy. Anti-reflux surgery: Anti-reflux surgery is a different type of fundoplication, which aims to stop the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. The efficacy of anti-reflux surgery is comparable to that of PPI, but there are certain postoperative complications. Therefore, for those patients who require long-term maintenance therapy with high-dose PPI, the decision of anti-reflux surgery can be made according to the patient’s wishes. For patients with confirmed severe respiratory disease caused by reflux and poor efficacy of PPI, anti-reflux surgery can be considered. 5. Treatment complications: ①Esophageal strictures can be treated with gastroscopic esophageal dilatation for the vast majority of strictures, except for a very small number of severe scarred strictures that require surgical resection. ②Barrett’s esophagus should be treated with PPI and long term maintenance therapy. Regular follow-up is the only way to prevent cancer in Barrett’s esophagus at present. Early identification of atypical hyperplasia and early surgical resection should be performed when severe atypical hyperplasia or early esophageal cancer is detected. Therefore, the occurrence of GERD should be actively exercised, pay attention to diet, and in severe cases, promptly seek medical attention and treatment under the guidance of doctors.