Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, also known as GORD, is a condition that occurs when stomach acid travels up from the stomach into the oesophagus. It is common for most individuals to experience reflux from time to time. GORD is diagnosed when an individual experiences reflux more than twice a week.
Some of the most common symptoms of GORD include:
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Heartburn -
Regurgitation of acid and/or food -
Difficulty swallowing -
Nausea -
Bloating and belching -
Sensation of a lump in the throat -
Sour taste in the mouth
Causes of GORD are varied and are different for each person. Some of the causes may be due to:
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Being overweight or obese -
Consuming substances such as tobacco, coffee, chocolate or spicy and/or fatty foods -
Being pregnant -
Having a hiatus hernia -
Mental health challenges, especially stress -
Medications such as aspirin
Seeking medical help
Like most other gastrointestinal conditions, GORD should be diagnosed by your GP and/or Gastroenterologist via symptomatic assessment and/or endoscopy. Once diagnosed, Dietitians can perform thorough dietary assessments and introduce lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms and prevent disease progression.
