Gastroesophageal reflux disease

The examination of the upper part of the pharynx, stomach and small intestine is performed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. For this purpose, an endoscope, a flexible, tube-like, telescopic instrument with a tiny camera mounted at its tip, is used to examine images of the upper digestive tract. Small instruments may also be passed through the tube to perform biopsies (remove small samples of tissue). Arman Petrosyan a gastroenterologist endoscopist of Slavmed Medical Center in the conversation with Doctors.am mentioned that in Armenia all modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease are being applied. According to the physician, the first symptom of the disease is heartburn, a feeling of a lump in the throat. “The main cause of this disorder is that some of the acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus, which results in the mucosa damage by the active components of gastric juice. Frequent signs of reflux are considered pathology. The main cause of back flow is the dysfunction of the esophageal muscular valve. A long-lasting, untreated heartburn later may be associated by pain, lack of appetite and dysphagia», said the gastroenterologist. According to the him, the cause of gastroesophageal reflux is an accute increase in abdominal or gastric pressure. “This phenomenon occurs when the stomach is completely filled and the food taken is above the limit as well as when eating in  wrong position like lying and bending.  An increased intra-abdominal pressure can also occur during flatulence, constipation, pregnancy, also it can be caused by tight clothes, belts and lifting weights”, he emphasized. The gastroenterologist highlights the diagnosis and treatment of the disease as complications such as esophageal ulcer, tumor, bleeding, dysphagia and other may occur. To avoid the disease the doctor advises to change the lifestyle, get rid of excess weight, avoid tight clothes, eat small, frequent meals, and not to lie down right after eating. In case of symptoms presence consult a physician and, if necessary, get treatment.