Burning Pain Inside the Chest... "Do Not Lie Down Immediately After Eating" [Kok! Health]

To prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes a burning sensation inside the chest, it is advised to improve lifestyle habits.

According to Korea University Guro Hospital on the 17th, GERD is a condition where stomach acid and other contents flow back into the esophagus. During the digestive process, food passes through the esophagus to the stomach, which secretes stomach acid and moves to digest the food. However, when stomach acid and contents reflux back into the esophagus, they cause irritation, leading to uncomfortable symptoms or complications, which is called gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The main symptoms usually include a burning sensation in the chest, heartburn, or a stinging feeling. If stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus and larynx, one may experience a sour and bitter taste in the mouth. Although less common, some people complain of a sensation of something stuck in the throat or chronic coughing.

The causes of GERD vary, but it can occur when digestive function declines, causing food to remain in the stomach for a long time and reflux into the esophagus, or when the esophagus fails to clear the refluxed stomach acid. It most commonly occurs due to decreased pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle between the esophagus and stomach).

It is explained that improving lifestyle habits alone can greatly help in preventing and treating GERD. It is better to lie down only after digestion is sufficiently complete rather than immediately after eating, and especially to avoid eating before bedtime.

Research also shows a high correlation between GERD and obesity. Therefore, weight control through appropriate exercise is necessary. However, engaging in intense exercise immediately after eating may be harmful and should be avoided. Smoking lowers the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, so quitting smoking is recommended.

In addition to lifestyle improvements, medication can be considered to relieve severe symptoms or discomfort. Usually, acid suppressants are used, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and recently potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) are also used.

For refractory GERD that is difficult to treat with medication, procedural or surgical treatment can be considered. If symptoms do not improve with medication, side effects occur, there is a long-term financial burden from treatment, or symptoms persistently recur, endoscopic procedures such as radiofrequency Stretta therapy or submucosal resection can be performed.

Surgical treatment is also an option. Surgical treatment for GERD has long been commonly performed in Western countries and can be safely done with laparoscopic surgery without major side effects. Compared to medication, it shows better long-term results. Recently, studies from both Western countries and Korea have shown that surgery can reduce the occurrence of esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma, which may develop after prolonged GERD.

Professor Kim Jonghan of the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Korea University Guro Hospital emphasized, "GERD is a common disease, but delaying treatment and neglecting it can reduce quality of life. Since it can develop into a chronic disease requiring a long treatment period, it is best to actively improve lifestyle habits and seek accurate diagnosis and treatment at a hospital."

Professor Kim Jong-han, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery (Upper), Korea University Guro Hospital. [Photo provided by Korea University Guro Hospital]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.