REFLUX OESOPHAGITIS
Regurgitation of gastric contents in to the esophagus is called gastro esophageal reflux

When the reflux occurs more frequently and at times when the stomach is not distended GI reflux is considered to be pathological

ETIOLOGY:

Loss of competence of lower esophageal sphincter due to the following reasons:

– Sliding hiatus hernia

– Systemic collagen diseases like scleroderma

– Impaired gastric outlet emptying

– Surgical intervention

– Infection by helico bacter pylori

– Obesity

CLINICAL FEATURES:

SYMPTOMS:

PAIN: it is mostly experienced retro sternally .thus considered and known as heart burn
It is worse by lying down, stooping, tight clothing
It may radiate to the arms and may mimic angina pectoris
Sensation of foreign body in the throat

DYSPHAGIA: it varies from mild to the severe degrees
This is due to the muscle spasms and motor disorder
The mucosa is swollen, inflamed, fibrosed ,and even strictured in the very advanced cases

HEMORRHAGE:
Occult blood in the stool
This leads to chronic anemia
Other symptoms are chronic flatulent dyspepsia, aspiration of gastric contents may cause recurrent pneumonia, lung abscess, and bronchiectasis

DIAGNOSIS:

– Radiography

– Esophageal function tests

– Esophagoscopy

– Video endoscopy

– Endoscopic USG

COMPLICATIONS:

1. Bleeding

2. Shortening of the esophagus

3. Stricture of the esophagus

4. Barrets esophagus

5. Esophageal ulcer perforation

6. Respiratory aspiration

7. Contraction ring of the lower esophagus. This is known as SCHATZKI ring

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH:

NUX VOMICA:

It influences both the glandular and muscular tone of the digestive organs
The causes of the dyspepsia are mental over work, sedentary occupations, high living, and dissipation
The patient is drowsy, and stupid in the evening and feels miserable in the morning with dull frontal head ache
There is often nausea, empty retching, scanty, sour or bilious, vomiting, water brash, sour, bitter, metallic taste, and there is vertigo
Flatulent dyspepsia of the drunkards

LYCOPODIUM:

Pain in the pit of the stomach when the hypochondrium is pressed and pain in the hypochondrium when the stomach is pressed
Fullness even after very light meal
There is vigorous appetite but appetite is easily satisfied
The digestion is slow and difficult
The patient feels sleepy after the meal
There is great accumulation of flatus in the stomach and intestines and this presses upwards and causes difficulty in the breathing

CARBO VEG:

This is a very putrid remedy
The digestion is slow and imperfect
There is a weight like sensation in the stomach and intestines and faint gone sensation in the stomach which is not relieved by eating
There is burning in the stomach which extends to the back and inter scapular region great distension of stomach and bowels which is temporarily relieved by eating
The symptoms are worse from fat, fish, ice creams, vinegar, cabbage

CHINA OFFICIANALIS:

Sensation of satiety after few mouth fulls of food
The distension of abdomen is painful and only momentarily relieved by belching
There are sour and bitter erructations
Digestion is slow and the patient faints easily
Sensation of food lodged in the esophagus behind the sternum
It is accompanied by yellow diarrhoea which is worse at night and after meals
Food lies for a very long time in the stomach causing erructations

Author Bio: Dr Guptha associated with ICD10 Certification and Dr Guptha associated with ICD10 training

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: icd10, training, certification