Dubai: More than 30 per cent of the population in UAE now suffers from acid reflux, says Dr Asa’d Issidin Dajani, gastroenterologist and hepatologist and head of the scientific and research committee of the Emirates Gastroenterology Society.
He added that it continues to be on the rise in the Middle East.
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux, is that uncomfortable condition when food flows back into the oesophagus causing heartburn and excessive coughing.
“GERD is a very common condition that affects both genders and at any age. It is a condition that develops when stomach acid and contents cause heartburn by rising back into the oesophagus, leading to a burning sensation, considerable discomfort and, in the worst case scenario, serious tissue damage. It is estimated that between 8.7 per cent and 33.1 per cent of the population in the Middle East suffers from the disease, which is on the rise in the region and across the Western world. Simply put, it is a disorder of the lower oesophageal sphincter.
“Lower oesophageal sphincter tone could be lowered by excessive fat in the diet, and indulgence in coffee, tea and chocolate, in addition to high alcohol and cigarette consumption and a stressful life. Obesity and pregnancy may also predispose one to GERD. If left unchecked, this can lead to oesophagal cancer, warned Dr Dajani.
Worldwide it is estimated that 60 per cent of the adult population will experience some type of GERD symptoms within a 12-month period and 20 to 30 per cent will have these symptoms weekly.
The main symptoms of GERD are heartburn and food regurgitation. Heartburn occurs in at least 75 per cent of patients suffering from this illness. It is a very specific and indicative complaint. Other symptoms include complaints such as cough, excessive phlegm, shortness of breath, asthma, ENT symptoms (hoarseness of voice, nasal discharge, repetitive sinus and middle-ear infections), non-cardiac chest pain, difficulty in swallowing, sense of a bolus in the throat — which occurs in 25 per cent of acid reflux patients, according to Dr Dajani.
The health toll
All of these conditions that are manifested have long- and short-term impact on the gastro intestinal tract. Complications include ulcers in the lower oesophagus due to the erosive effect of the disease, bleeding, narrowing of the lower oesophagus and difficulty in swallowing. “Extra-oesophageal GERD carries the risks of patients developing pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial asthma, recurring ear and sinus infections and dental caries,” said Dr Dajani.
“The most feared fallout of the disease is Barrett’s oesophagus,“ said Dr Dajani. “This is a condition where the mucus membrane of the lower oesophagus changes to intestinal-like mucus membrane to adapt to the continuous presence of acid in this area. Such a transformation of tissue holds the possibility of cancer development which may be a tragic event in the patient’s life,” he cautioned.
Treatment
Early detection and proper treatment is the best way of managing GERD. Patients should have keep in touch with a gastroenterologist to diagnose and initially start treatment of their condition. Once stabilised the patient could be followed up by his family doctor. The standard care treatment for reflux disease is the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI). But, in many cases, this is not enough with patients requiring additional medication, said Dr Dajani.
