Acid reflux and heartburn are frequent to the point even seniors might experience great difficulty in daily life. These conditions appear simultaneously and can produce either transitory or permanent complex consequences if the treatment is postponed. Awareness about the causes, symptoms, and clinical management of their disorders is thus essential for the sake of the senior citizens.
Acid reflux is a condition, also referred to as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), that becomes apparent when the stomach’s acid starts travelling back into the oesophagus. This backwards running acid will irritate the lining of the esophagus. Such symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. During old age, any of the following factors e.g. decreased esophageal sphincter tone and inefficient stomach emptying may contribute to acid reflux.
Heartburn is an obvious sign of an acid reflux condition which gives a feeling of burning discomfort in the chest, usually seen after meals or when lying down. This type of heartburn occurs due to the weakening of the barrier in the opening between the esophagus and stomach. Even though heartburn is commonly experienced on an irregular basis and usually has no serious side-effects, recurring heartburn is often a symptom of GERD, which demands medical review.
Consuming food that is not properly chewed or swallowing air too much are the causes of the acid reflux and heartburn in elderly people. It may cause and bring the pains and discomforts that lead to a poor quality of life. Therefore it becomes important to take proper intake of food and ensure that the food they consume is properly chewed.
Long-term action of acid reflux might be disturbing the process of nutrient infusion, thus leading to malnutrition among elderly. Malnutrition can drastically worsen the health of elders and cause irreparable damages, therefore it becomes essential for them to treat it as soon as possible.
Long-term exposure to gastric acid can ultimately lead to erosions and inflammations within the esophagus, thereby making the appearance of complications such as, e.g. Esophagitis, strictures, and Barrett’s esophagus more probable.
In some cases, seniors with acid reflux also can develop or worsen illnesses that affect the respiratory system such as asthma, chronic cough, and aspiration pneumonia.
Nocturnal symptoms of reflux disease, like heartburn and regurgitation, affect sleep, therefore, affecting daytime energy levels and resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness.
From chemical erosion, the acid from reflux can cause problems with teeth like tooth decay, hypersensitivity and periodontal disease..
In the later part of their lives, many adults take prescription medicines against the acid reflux; however, some drugs may have a negative influence on their bone health or on vitamin contents as well as immunity.
The treatment of acid reflux and related conditions imposes significant expenditure on seniors and systems alike. This includes drug expenditure, seeing doctors and having certain tests.
Chronic acid reflux makes dysphagia possible in the seniors and then there is a great risk for choking with breathing complications known as aspiration pneumonia.
People getting older could stop having contact and social affairs due to the shame and discomfort followed by the SOR symptoms, so their social connectedness and involvement become weaker.
Encourage old ones to lose some weight if possible or exercise for 15 to 30 minutes everyday, , and avoid triggering foods and ensure that they lift up the head of the bed and never lie down right after meals to ease the symptoms.
Recommending seniors to stay away or limit the intake of acidic, fatted, spicy, and caffeined foodstuffs may prove to be much helpful since this will reduce the number of times and severity of acid reflux and heartburn.
PPI, H2 receptor antagonist and antacid related prescriptions are recommended to stop production of stomach acid and relieve symptoms in elderly GERD.
In the event that GERD is not controlled with conservative measures such as medicaments, and in particular alleviation with the cause, surgical procedures such as fundoplication may be necessary to provide extra support for the lower esophageal sphincter.
Having baking soda which has been somewhat honeyed. Stomach acid will be momentarily neutralised. It tastes terrible, so try a large teaspoon in a big glass of water that has been sweetened with sugar or honey. Use it sparingly unless you relish gas, bloating, cramping in your stomach, and mild pain. This method has received some scientific validation.
Independent scientific research has shown that chewing gum right after a meal for 30 to 60 minutes actually reduces the symptoms of acid reflux and helps relieve sore throats by promoting saliva production. Avoid peppermint, mint, or spearmint flavors at all costs; they exacerbate the situation.
Acid reflux and heartburn can really screw up the life of the old. This may lead to many problems, some serious which interfere with a person’s daily life. Living modifications, dietary alterations, and medical interventions that are suitable, help to lower the excessive pressure on elderly people and lead to an increase in the quality of life.
Although steadily, the degradation of oesophagus can also lead to oesophagus cancer, especially in people with Barrett’s oesophagus.
The condition on its own is not life threatening, but if the symptoms are left untreated then there might be serious implications for the individual.