Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods of Reflux Disease

Reflux disease is a digestive system disorder that is frequently encountered today and negatively affects the quality of life. This disease occurs as a result of the stomach contents escaping back into the esophagus and this leads to various symptoms. Having information about the causes, symptoms and treatment methods of reflux disease plays an important role in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In this article we have written for you, we will try to give detailed information about reflux disease.

What Is Reflux?

Reflux is a condition in which stomach acid escapes back into the esophagus. Normally, there is a valve between the stomach and the esophagus, and this valve prevents food from returning from the stomach to the esophagus. However, in some cases, this valve cannot fulfill its function sufficiently and stomach contents leak back into the esophagus. This is called reflux disease and can cause irritation and inflammation in the esophagus.

What Are The Symptoms of Reflux?

The most common symptom of reflux disease is “heart pain”, defined as a burning sensation behind the breastbone. However, other symptoms of reflux disease are;

• Difficulty swallowing,
• Burning sensation in the throat,
• Bitter or sour taste in the mouth,
• Chronic cough,
• Hoarseness,
• Feeling of knots in the throat,
• Belching and flatulence,
• Sleep problems

What Are The Causes of Reflux?

The causes of reflux disease include genetic factors, lifestyle and eating habits. The main causes of reflux disease can be explained as follows;

• Being overweight or obese,
• Smoking,
• Excessive alcohol consumption,
• Consuming high-fat and spicy foods,
• Consuming chocolate, mint and caffeine-containing foods,
• Going to bed immediately after meals,
• Eating fast and not chewing well when eating,
• Hormonal changes during pregnancy,
• The use of certain medicines (for example, some heart medicines, asthma medicines and antidepressants),

Treatment of reflux disease varies depending on its causes and severity. Mild cases can be controlled with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter antacid medications. For more severe cases, your doctor may recommend prescription antacids, drugs that reduce stomach acid, or drugs that strengthen the stomach valve. In addition, surgical intervention may be required in some cases. If you suspect reflux disease, it is important to consult your doctor to determine the appropriate treatment method.

How Is Reflux Diagnosed?

Reflux is defined as the escape of stomach contents back into the esophagus and the symptoms caused by this condition. Reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), manifests itself with burning sensation and pain, especially after meals. Reflux is diagnosed by the symptoms experienced by the patient and some tests performed.

Firstly, the doctor assesses the patient’s complaints and symptoms. If the patient experiences typical reflux symptoms such as burning sensation in the chest, difficulty swallowing, acidic taste in the mouth and stomach pain, the doctor suspects reflux.

Tests for the diagnosis of reflux include;

• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy,
• Esophageal pH measurement,
• Esophageal manometry,
• Barium swallow test,

How Is Reflux Treatment Performed?

Reflux treatment varies depending on the severe symptoms experienced by the patient and the cause of reflux. The treatment process is as follows;

• Reflux patients are recommended to change their eating habits and lifestyle. Avoiding acidic, fatty and spicy foods, not lying down after meals, losing weight and not smoking can alleviate reflux symptoms.

• Doctors may prescribe medications that reduce acid production (proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor blockers) and medications that help prevent stomach contents from escaping back into the esophagus (prokinetic agents).

• If reflux symptoms persist or complications have occurred despite medication and lifestyle changes, surgical intervention may be necessary. In this surgical procedure called fundoplication, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus to prevent acid from escaping back.

Is Reflux a Cause of Ulcer?

Reflux can cause irritation and damage to the oesophageal tissue as stomach acid escapes back into the esophagus. This can lead to the formation of wounds known as esophageal ulcers in long-term reflux patients. Esophageal ulcers can cause serious symptoms such as severe pain, difficulty swallowing and bleeding.

Reflux does not directly cause stomach ulcers; however, the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus can increase the risk of ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. Gastric ulcers are defined as sores that occur in the stomach lining and are usually caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Does Reflux Cause Cancer?

In people with reflux disease, damage to the oesophageal tissue may occur over time. This damage can lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which can cause changes in the cell structure of the esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus is a factor that increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer (esophageal adenocarcinoma).

However, only a small proportion of reflux patients develop Barrett’s esophagus and the risk of this condition developing into cancer is low. Nevertheless, it is important that reflux patients receive regular follow-up and treatment under the supervision of a doctor. In this way, it is possible to reduce the risk of cancer and prevent other reflux complications.

What Are The Diseases Caused by Reflux?

Reflux can cause various health problems. Some diseases caused by reflux are as follows;

• Esophagitis (oesophagitis),
• Barrett’s esophagus,
• Stenosis of the esophagus,
• Asthma,
• Laryngitis and pharyngitis,
• Tooth decay

How To Treat Reflux During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the incidence of reflux increases due to hormonal changes and the growing uterus pressing on the stomach. Reflux treatment during pregnancy should be safe for both mother and baby. Some methods that can be followed in the treatment of reflux during pregnancy are as follows;

• Walking after meals, eating slowly, not drinking water before and after meals, avoiding acidic and spicy foods can help reduce reflux symptoms.
• Sleeping by raising the head side of the bed or supporting it with pillows can help prevent stomach acid from escaping back into the esophagus.
• Paying attention to healthy weight gain during pregnancy can reduce reflux complaints.
• Under the advice and supervision of a doctor, antacids and antacid medications that are considered safe during pregnancy can be used.

Reflux treatment during pregnancy should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor and in accordance with the recommendations. In this way, a safe and effective treatment process can be provided for both mother and baby.

Reflux Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has managed to announce its name to the world with its investments and studies in the field of health. Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. We can see that patients and relatives of patients who want to come to Turkey are doing research on Reflux Treatment Prices in Turkey. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.