GERD means gastroesophageal reflux disease. In GERD, stomach acid frequently irritates the lining of the esophagus leads to heartburn.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GERD
CAUSES OF GERD
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF GERD
DIAGNOSIS OF GERD
TREATMENTS FOR GERD
PROGNOSIS OF GERD
COMPLICATIONS OF GERD
GERD AND AYURVEDA
NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF GERD
PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF GERD
SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF GERD
LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GERD
AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF GERD
CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR GERD
AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR GERD
AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT FOR GERD
COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR GERD
HOME REMEDIES FOR GERD
DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR GERD
YOGA FOR GERD
RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF GERD

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GERD

Burning pain in the chest – heartburn
Sour belching
Acid regurgitation
Discomfort and burning feeling in the stomach
Burning pain aggravated during the night

CAUSES OF GERD

Defect in the functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter
The condition is aggravated by,
Certain medications like NSAID
Stress
Anxiety
Alcohol
Smoking
Spicy foods
Sour foods
Digestive disorders

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF GERD

The above-mentioned causes result in stomach acid back up into the esophagus and irritating the epithelial lining in the esophagus. The irritation feels like burning pain in the chest. Acid reflux happens when the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t tighten or close properly. This causes digestive juices from the stomach to rise up into the esophagus.

DIAGNOSIS OF GERD

Endoscopic examination
Ambulatory acid probe tests
Esophageal pH monitoring
X-ray – to find out the normal positioning and shape of esophagus

TREATMENTS FOR GERD

Antacids
Acid blockers
Proton pump inhibitors
H 2 receptor blockers

PROGNOSIS OF GERD

Prognosis is based on the stage of the disease, duration and condition of the patient.
Severe cases may require surgery to avoid serious complications.

COMPLICATIONS OF GERD

Ulcer in esophagus
Recurrent GERD may lead to esophageal cancer.

GERD AND AYURVEDA

In Ayurveda,GERD is managed based on the treatment of ‘amlapitta’

NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF GERD

Excess consumption of dry, acrid, sour food
Improper functioning of agni

PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF GERD

Acid regurgitation followed by burning pain in the chest

SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF GERD

Due to the above-mentioned causes doshas aggravated especially pitta. The vitiated doshas reside in the stomach and esophagus and produce symptoms of GERD.

LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GERD

Burning sensation
Sour belching – amla udgaram
Vomiting
Bitter taste in mouth – tikta asyatha

AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF GERD

Sadya (curable) in the early stage and manageable in the chronic stage with proper Ayurvedic remedies.

CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR GERD

AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR GERD

Guluchyadi kashayam after food
Drakshadi gulika along with amalaki swarasa ( gooseberry juice)
Shatavari ghrita
Shankha bhasma
Amlapittantak lauha
Shaddharanam churna
Shankha vati
Avipattikara churna- along with honey at bedtime
Nalikera khanda

AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT FOR GERD

Vamana – emesis
Virechana – purgation

COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR GERD

Internal administration

Guluchyadi kashayam
Drakshadi gulika
Shatavari ghrita
Shankha bhasma
Amlapittantak lauha
Shaddharanam churna
Shankha vati
Avipattikara churna

HOME REMEDIES FOR GERD

Intake of gooseberry
Intake of resins
Drinking a glass of water at early morning

DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR GERD

Avoid food items which produce pitta dosha imbalance like more acrid and sour. Because pitta imbalance aggravates the symptoms.
Consume easily digestible food items, cow’s milk
Timely intake of food
Drink an appropriate quantity of water
Avoid alcohol and smoking

YOGA FOR GERD

Nadi Shuddi Pranayam – Calms the mind and gets relief from the discomfort associated with GERD

The patient needs to be seated in a meditative posture with the head and spine erect, with the body relaxed. The patient has to close his one nostril (e.g. left nostril if using the right hand and vice versa) with the thumb and exhale completely through the other nostril. Again, he will have to breathe in deeply through the other nostril while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb.

RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF GERD