KEY COMPLICATIONS OF GORD: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
May 20, 2024Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is a common condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. If you’ve been experiencing persistent heartburn or acid reflux, it’s essential to consult your doctor. Here are seven compelling reasons why:
1. ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS
Seeing a doctor ensures you get an accurate diagnosis. A doctor should evaluate frequent, persistent heartburn not relieved by nonprescription products, or heartburn with other symptoms, such as difficult or painful swallowing, hoarseness, nausea, or vomiting.1
2. PREVENT COMPLICATIONS
Untreated GORD can lead to severe complications, including oesophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and even oesophageal cancer. The intestinal cells have a small risk of transforming into cancer cells over time. As a result, people with Barrett's esophagus are advised to have a periodic upper endoscopy to monitor for early warning signs of cancer.3
3. TAILORED TREATMENT PLANS
Doctors can provide personalised treatment plans that suit your specific needs. This may include medication, lifestyle changes, or other therapies that are more effective than over-the-counter solutions. Smoking may also affect the medicine your doctor has prescribed for heartburn, making it less effective.12
4. UNDERSTANDING TRIGGERS
A healthcare professional can help you identify and understand the specific triggers of your GORD. Knowing what exacerbates your symptoms allows you to make informed decisions about your diet and lifestyle. A physician should evaluate heartburn that occurs frequently for more than 2 weeks or is accompanied by trouble swallowing, painful swallowing, hoarseness, nausea or vomiting, or dark stools.1
5. ACCESS TO ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS
Doctors have access to advanced diagnostic tools and tests, such as gastroscopy, to assess the severity of your condition accurately and tailor the treatment accordingly. Endoscopy allows the doctor to see the oesophagus and stomach lining through a thin tube with a lighted camera at its end that is inserted down the oesophagus. During endoscopy, a small tissue sample can be removed for analysis and damage to the oesophageal lining can be evaluated.1
6. EFFECTIVE MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
Prescription medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), can be more effective than over-the-counter options. Your doctor can prescribe and monitor the most appropriate medication for your condition. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than H2RAs in lowering acid production, so H2RAs and antacids are often prescribed together. Some acid-blocking drugs are available in nonprescription strengths. If heartburn occurs frequently or if nonprescription antacids or acid blockers are not effective, the condition should be evaluated by a doctor.1
7. RELIABLE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
By consulting your doctor, you gain access to reliable information and resources. These resources provide comprehensive, research-backed insights into managing GORD effectively. — Professional level articles are designed to keep doctors and other health professionals up to date on the latest medical findings. These articles are thorough, long, and complex, and they contain multiple references to the research on which they are based.3
GORD is a manageable condition with the right medical care and lifestyle adjustments. 3 Don’t hesitate to reach out to your doctor for a professional assessment and personalised treatment plan. 12 Sign up to Heartburn24.com for more information and support in managing GORD effectively in South Africa.
1. U.S. Pharmacist. Patient Teaching Aid: Heartburn. [New York, N.Y.]:[Jobson Publishing Corp.]. Available from: https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/heartburn [Cited October 2023].
3. Kahrilas PJ. Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults (Beyond the Basics). [online; reviewed April 2022]. In: UptoDate, Post TW (Ed), Wolters Kluwer. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease-in-adults-beyond-the-basics# [Cited October 2023].
12. Visagie C. 4 common myths about heartburn. [online November 2017]. Available from: https://www.news24.com/life/wellness/body/condition-centres/heartburn/news/4-common-myths-about-heartburn-20171101 [Cited October 2023].
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202406121015082 June 2024
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is a common condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. If you’ve been experiencing persistent heartburn or acid reflux, it’s essential to consult your doctor. Here are seven compelling reasons why:
