Suspected heart disease in chest pain, reflux esophagitis...I should avoid this after eating
Feb 10, 2025
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The number of patients treated for reflux esophagitis (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is steadily increasing. According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients increased by 35% in 10 years from 2.4 million in 2013 to 3.23 million in 2023.
In particular, reflux esophagitis is likely to be mistaken for other diseases because of its various symptoms, including chest pain. In addition, since it is a chronic disease with frequent recurrence, accurate diagnosis and continuous treatment and management are required
Kim Kyung-han, director of the Endoscopy Center at Centum General Hospital, said "Food or gastric acid in the stomach flows back to the esophagus, stimulating the esophageal mucosa, causing various symptoms such as pain and bitterness in the chest."
Between the stomach and esophagus of the human body, there is a 'lower esophageal sphincter' that prevents upwardly lowered food from coming up to the esophagus. If the function is poor or there is a structural problem with esophageal perforation (hole through which the esophagus passes), the stomach fluid and other contents flow backward.
Symptoms may vary from patient to patient. Typical symptoms are chest pain and heartburn. In severe cases, gastric fluid flows back to the pharynx and larynx, causing chronic cough, feeling of foreign body in the throat, and a sore voice.
Reflux esophagitis has various symptoms and is sometimes mistaken for heart disease or respiratory disease.
In response, Kim Kyung-han, head of the center, said "Since gastric acid is caused by reflux, symptoms vary depending on the site of stimulation. Stimulating the middle part of the lower esophagus causes chest pain and is likely to be mistaken for heart disease. In addition, if the larynx is stimulated, a cough may occur and may be considered a respiratory disease. Therefore, those who are diagnosed for the first time or those who continue to have symptoms even after treatment should get tested and treated again that can distinguish them from various diseases.
Reflux esophagitis often recurs. Therefore, it is important to recognize that it is a chronic disease that is 'managing'.
In fact, in one study, patients with reflux esophagitis whose symptoms were completely remission (relaxed or disappeared) were followed up for six months, and the recurrence rate of symptoms reached 75-90% depending on the type.
Then, is it okay to take esophageal drugs for a long time?
Kim Kyung-han, director of the center, said "Since it is a chronic disease, there are concerns about complications from taking the drug for a long time." Usually, when maintenance therapy is performed with 'proton pump inhibitor', a major drug for reflux esophagitis, it is recommended to reduce it to the minimum dose that can suppress recurrence. This is because it reduces the risk of potential side effects for long-term use of proton pump inhibitors. In particular, there have been many reports recently that the side effects of maintaining reflux esophagitis drugs are not as large as expected, so it is not a big problem if the dose is used well to a minimum. "
Reflux esophagitis can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
The esophageal mucosa can be damaged, resulting in esophageal ulcers and esophageal stenosis, and in rare cases, even esophageal cancer. In addition, it can cause or worsen chronic laryngitis and asthma exacerbation.
Kim Kyung-han, the head of the center, said "In the case of reflux esophagitis, it is difficult to cure, but through proper treatment and constant management, the symptoms can be alleviated while maintaining the quality of life and preventing complications."," he stressed.
Drug use is prioritized for treatment. This inhibits gastric acid secretion and reduces gastroesophageal reflux. It should be noted that discontinuation of medication after initial treatment can lead to recurrence. While maintaining drug treatment in the long term, you should consult with your doctor about whether to discontinue the drug depending on your symptoms.
Kim Kyung-han, director of the center, said, `Reflux esophagitis requires improvement in lifestyle above all else. In addition to irregular eating habits, overeating, late-night snacks, lying down immediately after eating, excessive intake of spicy and salty irritating food, smoking, and heavy drinking are all factors that exacerbate this disease, so it is recommended to refrain from drinking."
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
