When a patient is suffering from GERD, they often experience symptoms like indigestion, midepigastric chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and nausea. A nursing care plan for gastroesophageal reflux disease can be helpful. Listed below are some common symptoms and medications that are prescribed for GERD. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition that can be treated with medication or surgery.
Treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux disease
GERD is the most common digestive disorder, with approximately 10 percent of the American population experiencing symptoms daily. Treatment options include medications like proton pump inhibitors and histamine receptor antagonists, which reduce acid production in the stomach. However, these medications do not address the root cause of acid reflux and often lose their effectiveness over time. In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary. This procedure requires incisions in the esophagus and requires the patient to stay in the hospital for several days. Surgical procedures, such as Laparoscopic Reflux Surgery (LPR), may be considered for more severe cases.
Lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications can be effective treatments for GERD. Over-the-counter antacids may provide temporary relief from heartburn and diminish common symptoms of GERD. However, antacid use is limited to moderate amounts, and frequent use may actually increase acid production. Furthermore, antacids have the disadvantage of leaving the stomach quickly and causing more reflux symptoms.
Foods to avoid for gastroesophageal reflux disease
Physiologic gastroesophageal reflux is a condition that causes the reflux of acid into the esophagus. In addition to this condition, it can result in complications, including failure to thrive, erosive esophagitis, and esophageal stricture formation. The following are some foods to avoid if you or your loved one has GERD.
Medications are one treatment for this disorder. These medications contain a compound known as methylxanthine that relaxes the muscles and lowers the LES pressure. Some patients may experience burping or regurgitation as a result of acid reflux. Other symptoms of the condition include heartburn, a chronic cough, and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease can affect someone’s quality of life, so it is essential that nursing care plans for these patients take these things into consideration.
Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication
Surgical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is available to help patients eliminate or manage their symptoms. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication can be an effective option if medical treatment has failed to control symptoms. This procedure, which involves tying the stomach around the esophagus, is effective in patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. This procedure has numerous benefits, including shorter recovery times and reduced wound-related morbidity.
A Nissen fundoplication is an extremely successful treatment for GERD. The procedure reinforces the sphincter at the top of the stomach, preventing food from backflow and acid from rising into the esophagus. It can also help patients with hiatal hernia, a condition in which part of the stomach extends through the diaphragm. After a successful procedure, patients may require one or more nights of hospitalization, but should follow postoperative instructions carefully.
Medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease
Medications used to treat gastroesophagus reflux disease include antacids, H2 blockers, and PPIs. These medicines are often prescribed to alleviate GERD symptoms. However, long-term use of these medicines can lead to side effects. Surgery is another option, but patients should consult a medical professional before undergoing this procedure. The most common surgery for GERD is fundoplication, which involves sewing the top part of the stomach around the lower end of the esophagus. This procedure can prevent reflux and is performed in patients who are at risk for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Although no treatment completely cures GERD, doctors at NYU Langone recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications for patients with the disorder. Over-the-counter GERD medications work by reducing the amount of stomach acid that is pushed back into the esophagus during digestion. This helps to relieve symptoms, heal the esophagus, and prevent more serious complications like Barrett’s esophagus and esophagitis.
