Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a benign disease causing abnormal upwelling of gastric contents to the esophagus. However, if left untreated, gastroesophageal reflux disease can lead to serious complications. This pathology particularly affects people over 50 years of age, pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy and overweight individuals. Reflux can also be seen in cases of hiatal hernia. In addition, there is a higher frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease in smokers.
Symptoms
Symptoms are mainly observed after meals or during the night, but also during certain movements (forward bending of the trunk). The patient feels an acidic fluid rise up their throat, causing a burning sensation or even retrosternal pain. Frequent hiccups can also be observed, as well as dragging bad breath. Reflux can aggravate asthma in affected individuals. In babies, reflux is common and benign due to the lack of maturity of their esophageal sphincter.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease can be complicated by esophageal inflammation (esophagitis), which in turn can lead to peptic stenosis (a drop in the size of the esophagus). The weakened mucous membrane can lead to minimal but persistent bleeding, insidiously deteriorating the patient's general condition. Studies have also shown that changing the structure of the esophageal lining increases the risk of cancer. The latter can only be diagnosed by an analysis of a tissue fragment (biopsy) taken during a digestive fibroscopy.
Treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease with homeopathy
To treat sphincter relaxation of the esophagus, it is first necessary to act on gastric motility. To do this, use Nux Vomica (4 to 5 CH), 10 minutes before the meal and another dose 10 minutes after the meal.
In order to protect the esophagus from burns (esophagitis), low-dilution drugs such as Robinia, Capsicum, Sulfuricum Acidium Scantharis or Iris Versicolor are recommended, to be taken three times a day, before each meal.
Conversely, for acid reflux, you should take highly diluted medication once a day or, depending on the frequency of symptoms, once a week. These include Cuprum Carbonica, Calcarea Carbonica, Nux Vomica and Lycopodium.
In addition, gastroesophageal reflux disease is common in babies. It will disappear spontaneously between six months and a year. However, 5 granules of Cuprum 9CH can be dissolved in the bottle when reflux is frequent and affects the baby's health.
When to see a doctor?
Some signs are unusual and may indicate a more serious illness. It is then necessary to consult a doctor as soon as the appearance of frequent false routes with each swallowing, difficulty swallowing both solid and liquid food, rapid weight loss, abdominal pain and vomiting, appearance of blood-streaked or frankly bloody sputum, black stools (indicating digestive bleeding). More generally, close monitoring and additional examinations (digestive endoscopy) are systematic in subjects over 45 years of age, and when pyrosis occurs more than once a week. In babies, consultation is strongly recommended if gastroesophageal reflux disease is accompanied by diarrhea or fever, weight loss or stagnation of the weight curve.
