Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults 
Children Children Children Children 
Hotline: 
Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Adults Children Children Children Children 
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — is a chronic disease of the digestive system in which gastric contents regularly enter back into the esophagus. Normally, this process is prevented by the lower esophageal sphincter. If its function is impaired, pathological gastro-reflux occurs — reverse reflux of gastric contents that irritates the mucous membrane of the esophagus.
At the initial stages, the disease may manifest only as episodic heartburn. However, with a prolonged course, the inflammatory process intensifies, and reflux esophagitis is formed — damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus with the development of erosive or ulcerative lesions.
The course of GERD can be different: from mild functional manifestations without visible changes of the mucous membrane to severe forms with complications. That is why it is important to timely determine the stage of the disease and choose the correct treatment tactics.
The main cause of the development of GERD is a disturbance in the work of the lower esophageal sphincter — the muscular ring between the esophagus and the stomach. Normally, it opens during swallowing food and closes tightly after its passage. If the tone of the sphincter decreases or it relaxes too often, gastric contents enter back into the esophagus.
Risk factors are:
GERD usually develops under the influence of a combination of several factors. Understanding the causes allows not only to treat the disease, but also to reduce the frequency of exacerbations by correcting the lifestyle.
The most common symptom of GERD — heartburn. This is a burning sensation behind the sternum,
which more often occurs after eating, in a lying position or when bending forward. It may intensify at night
and disturb sleep.
Main symptom of GERD:
heartburn and acid regurgitation;
pain or discomfort behind the sternum;
difficulty swallowing, a feeling of a «lump» in the throat;
an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Atypical symptoms of GERD are also possible. These include dry cough, hoarseness of voice, frequent tickling in the throat, episodes of hoarseness or even attacks resembling bronchospasm. They are associated with irritation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract due to the reflux of gastric contents.
Symptoms often intensify after consuming spicy, fatty or acidic food, chocolate, citrus fruits, tomatoes, carbonated drinks, strong coffee and alcohol. Overeating and late dinners also provoke exacerbation.
The course of gastroesophageal reflux disease differs by the degree of damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus and the frequency of symptoms. The following degrees of GERD are distinguished:
The mucous membrane may remain without visible damage or single superficial changes are observed. Symptoms occur periodically, more often after dietary errors. At this stage, it is often a matter of non-erosive gastro-reflux — when there are complaints, but during examination pronounced damage to the mucous membrane is not detected.
Single or multiple erosions of the mucous membrane of the esophagus appear. Symptoms become regular, heartburn bothers several times a week. Erosive reflux esophagitis develops — a form of GERD in which damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus is already visible during gastroscopy. This indicates a more pronounced inflammatory process and requires more active treatment.
Erosions may merge with each other, significant inflammation of the mucous membrane forms. The pain becomes more intense, swallowing disturbance is possible. The risk of complications increases.
Deep ulcerative lesions, scar changes and narrowing of the lumen of the esophagus occur. In severe cases, the formation of Barrett's esophagus is possible — a condition that is considered precancerous.
The examination begins with a consultation with a gastroenterologist. The doctor clarifies the nature of the symptoms, their duration, frequency of occurrence and connection with food intake. It is during the appointment that the need for further studies is determined.
According to indications, the following may be used:
A comprehensive examination allows establishing the diagnosis of GERD, determining the degree of damage to the mucous membrane and selecting the optimal treatment tactics.
Treatment tactics depend on the degree of damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus, the frequency of symptoms and the presence of complications. In most cases, the disease responds well to conservative therapy. Surgical intervention is considered only when medication treatment does not provide a sufficient effect or complications develop.
The basis of therapy is a combination of medication treatment and lifestyle correction. Medication therapy is aimed at reducing irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and creating conditions for its healing. Depending on the degree of the disease, the doctor may prescribe:
The treatment regimen and duration of the course are determined individually. In mild forms, short-term use of medications is possible; in erosive damage, therapy may be longer and requires control examinations.
Lifestyle correction is an important part of treatment. The patient is recommended to adhere to a regular eating schedule, not to overeat and not to consume food immediately before sleep. It is worth limiting foods and drinks after which heartburn intensifies, as well as giving up smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. With excess body weight, its gradual reduction is recommended.
It is also desirable not to lie down immediately after eating and to avoid situations that increase pressure in the abdominal cavity — for example, wearing very tight clothing or strong bending forward immediately after eating. Following these recommendations makes it possible to reduce the frequency of exacerbations and increases the effectiveness of medication therapy.
Usually, surgical treatment of GERD is considered when conservative therapy does not allow achieving stable control of symptoms or complications develop.
Indications may be:
Most often, an antireflux operation is performed — fundoplication. During the intervention, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower part of the esophagus, forming an additional valve mechanism. This strengthens the work of the lower esophageal sphincter and prevents reflux of gastric contents.
At the clinic «Oxford Medical», antireflux operations are performed mainly by the laparoscopic method. This is a modern minimally invasive method of surgical intervention, during which manipulations are performed through several small punctures in the anterior abdominal wall using special instruments and a video camera. This approach allows reducing tissue trauma, lowering the risk of postoperative complications and shortening the recovery period.
Operations are performed in the high-tech surgical inpatient department of the clinic, equipped with modern equipment for minimally invasive surgery. Experienced surgeons are guided by modern clinical recommendations and provide full patient support — from preoperative examination to postoperative observation.
In the absence of timely treatment, gastroesophageal reflux disease may lead to structural changes of the esophagus and impairment of its function. The risk of complications increases with a prolonged course of the disease, frequent exacerbations and self-treatment.
Possible complications:
The following symptoms should cause concern: difficulty swallowing, pain during food intake, unjustified weight loss, weakness due to possible anemia or the appearance of blood in vomit masses. In such cases, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. Timely treatment allows controlling the disease and significantly reducing the risk of complications.
After the reduction of acute manifestations, it is important to maintain a stable condition and not provoke repeated episodes of reflux. Rehabilitation for GERD is aimed at healing the mucous membrane of the esophagus, reducing the frequency of exacerbations and maintaining remission. Even if the symptoms have become less pronounced, the recommendations should be followed for a long time.
Nutrition should be regular, without overeating and long breaks between meals. Optimally — 4–5 small meals per day. Dinner should be light and no later than 2–3 hours before sleep. It is worth limiting products after which heartburn most often intensifies:
It is better to give preference to boiled, stewed or baked dishes without excess fat. Food should be warm — not too hot and not cold.
Household habits are also important. It is recommended not to lie down immediately after eating, to sleep with the torso elevated, to avoid tight clothing in the abdominal area and sharp bending forward after eating.
After exacerbation or surgical treatment, the recovery regimen is determined individually. In the first weeks, a more sparing diet may be prescribed with gradual expansion of the menu under the supervision of a doctor. Following the recommendations allows maintaining a stable condition and reducing the risk of complications.
The cost of treatment depends on the form of the disease and, accordingly, on the scope of the necessary diagnosis and the chosen treatment tactics. In most cases, treatment is limited to a consultation with a gastroenterologist and medication therapy, however, in a complicated course, additional examination or surgical intervention may be needed.
You can preliminarily familiarize yourself with the prices for consultations here. During the appointment, the doctor will guide you regarding the necessary procedures and their cost. To make an appointment, contact the contact center or use the online appointment form on the website.
Cough with GERD occurs due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and upper respiratory tract by gastric contents. Even small episodes of acid reflux can provoke a reflex dry cough, which more often intensifies at night or after eating. Sometimes cough is the only manifestation of the disease without pronounced heartburn.
With GERD, a sparing diet is recommended: boiled, stewed or baked dishes without excess fat. Lean meat and fish, porridges, vegetables after heat treatment, non-acidic fruits, fermented dairy products with low fat content are well tolerated. It is worth eating in small portions 4–5 times a day, avoiding overeating and late dinners.
Moderate physical activity with GERD is not only allowed, but also beneficial, especially in the presence of excess body weight. Walking, swimming, light cardio loads are recommended. It is worth avoiding exercises with sharp bending, lifting heavy objects and training immediately after eating, since this may intensify reflux symptoms.
An increase in temperature is not a typical symptom of GERD. If fever appears against the background of heartburn or pain behind the sternum, this may indicate a complication or another disease, for example, an infectious process. In such a case, it is necessary to consult a doctor to clarify the cause and conduct an additional examination.
Experienced doctors. Specialists have many years of experience and work according to modern clinical protocols.
Comprehensive approach. Consultation, necessary diagnostics and treatment can be completed in one medical center at a convenient time.
Modern diagnostics. Endoscopic methods, pH-metry and other examinations are used for accurate confirmation of the diagnosis.
Possibility of surgical treatment. Operations are performed laparoscopically in a high-tech surgical inpatient department.
5 
22+ 
22+ Years of experience 
Kyiv, Hlybochytska St., 40x 
4.93 22+ 22+ Years of experience Kyiv, 9 Ivana Kramskoho Street 
4.94 8+ 8+ Years of experience m. Irpin vul. University, 2/1, building 3 
4.91 13+ 
in the clinic 
online 
Hello!
