Early diagnosis, simple lifestyle changes can prevent GERD complications: experts
The discussion was the final episode of the 15-part webinar series under the 'Healthy India Happy India initiative' by Naruvi Hospitals in collaboration with The Hindu.
A panel of gastroenterologists, including E. Rabindranath and Jacob Raja A.S., both consultants at Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore, along with A.C. Arun, clinical lead, Gastroenterology at Lily Mission Hospital, Madurai, spoke on common concerns over GERD.
Explaining the digestive system and the role of esophageal sphincter, Dr. Jacob said that the sphincter acts as the gateway between the lower esophagus and the stomach to prevent regurgitation. 'When the Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) happens multiple times in a week impacting quality of life, work and sleep and causes symptoms such as persistent heart burn, chest pain, trouble in swallowing, then it can turn into a chronic medical condition called the GERD and requires treatment,' he said.
Dr. Jacob said the global burden of GERD was quite high — one in every five individuals — with Europe, North America and parts of Asia reporting high numbers of cases. In comparison, India reports fewer cases, but its prevalence is increasing in young adults given their unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits.
Speaking on diagnosis, lifestyle changes and management of GERD, Dr. Rabindranath advised people to quit smoking and alcohol consumption and avoid spicy and fatty foods and late night meals. He also advised against sedentary lifestyle and stress and for practising intake portion control and weight management. 'GERD mimics include heart issues, esophageal disorders, stomach issues, anxiety episodes, and panic attacks; therefore, medical consultation is important,' he added.
Sharing tips to manage GERD, he advised 'elevating the head during sleep, keeping a gap of three to four hours between dinner and sleep, sleeping on the left side and wearing loose clothes while exercising'.
Focusing on treatment, Dr. Arun spoke on how endoscopy helps to identify the complications and anatomical damage due to reflux episodes. 'Leaving GERD symptoms untreated could lead to esophageal ulcers and strictures making it difficult to swallow food, vomiting of blood and pre-cancerous condition. Minor surgeries, medication and endoscopic procedures help in arresting the progress of the disease,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scroll.in
a day ago
- Scroll.in
Mumbai: One dead, 95 injured in dahi handi celebrations
A 32-year-old man died and 95 others were injured during dahi handi celebrations in Mumbai on Saturday, The Hindu reported. Dahi handi events, part of the Hindu festival of Janmashtami that marks the birth of deity Krishna, involve groups forming human pyramids to break earthen pots filled with curd suspended from a height. In Mankhurd, Jagmohan Shivkiran Chaudhari fell while tying a dahi handi rope to a window grille on the first floor of his house. He was taken to Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi, where doctors declared him dead in the afternoon. Of the 95 persons injured in the celebrations in Mumbai, 19 are still admitted to hospital, including two in critical condition, The Hindu quoted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's data as saying. Seventy-six others have been discharged. In Thane, 22 persons – including minors – were injured during the festivities, the Hindustan Times quoted Yasin Tadvi, chief of the Disaster Management Cell of the Thane Municipal Corporation as saying. Some of the injured were children aged between five and ten, the official said. Tadvi added that the organisers had been issued clear instructions against allowing children below 14 to participate. 'Despite repeated instructions, children below 14 years were found forming pyramids,' India Today quoted Tadvi as saying. Separately, Rohan Mohan Valvi (14), a member of the Gaondevi Govinda Pathak in Andheri, collapsed while seated in a tempo van during the festivities. Valvi, who had reportedly recently recovered from jaundice, was taken to two hospitals and declared dead at Rajawadi Hospital, Ghatkopar, at night.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Deemed univs with lower fees emerge as top choices for MBBS
Chennai: Deemed universities that charge lower fees, even if they are new, were among the first choices of candidates aspiring to become doctors, as shown by the results of the round 1 counselling released by the Medical Counselling Committee. The committee, led by the Directorate General of Health Services, allots seats online to students based on merit in NEET and the rule of reservation for 15% of seats under the all-India quota in state-run colleges, all central govt institutions, and deemed universities. Students are required to choose and lock in their preferred medical colleges in order of preference. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rates Today in Chennai | Silver Rates Today in Chennai Overall, the cut-off for All-India rank and NEET score was higher in 2025 at 215/720 marks in NEET 2025 (7.3 lakh all-India rank) compared to 135/720 marks in NEET 2024 (13.3 lakh all-India rank). "Although toppers' scores were lower, there was crowding in scores between 400-500," said R Saravanakumar, a NEET coach at a private institution. Analysis of round 1 counselling results, however, showed the most opted medical college among deemed universities in the country is Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University in Manipal, which charges around 17.7 lakh every year. The cut-offs in this college were the first to close at the all-India rank of 40008 with a NEET-2025 score of 511/720. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo The college was followed by Symbiosis Medical College for Women in Pune (47592 rank and 504 marks) and Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore (52466 rank and 500 marks). Tamil Nadu colleges, which charge up to 30.5 lakh per year, were not among the top 20 choices of students. While colleges from Karnataka and Maharashtra were among the top 10 colleges to close early, a student with a rank of 263126 and 374 marks in NEET was the last to be given a seat at TN's Sri Ramachandra Medical College. "When tuition fees per year are around 30 lakh, the overall fee for four years is nearly 1.2 crore. Parents may have to pay another 10-15 lakh more for boarding, lodging, books, and other fees," said student counsellor Manickavel Arumugam. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Economic Times
Apollo Healthtech targets listing by Jan-Mar 2027
The hospital chain aims to add 4,370 beds through acquisition, brownfield and greenfield expansion over the next 3-4 years, with the first phase of 2,000 beds is already in progress. Apollo Healthtech, a part of Apollo Hospitals, may get listed by early 2027. This move aims to unlock value for shareholders. Promoters will remain the same. Apollo Hospitals reported a strong Q1 with a 42% profit increase. Revenue also grew by 15%. The company plans to add over 4,300 beds in the next few years. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mumbai: Apollo Healthtech , the demerged omni-channel pharmacy and digital health business of Apollo Hospitals , is likely to be listed by January-March 2027, a top company official said if there are plans of a family reorganisation, Apollo Hospitals group chief financial officer Krishnan Akhileswaran told ET, "No, there isn't. It's just a value unlock for shareholders. The promoters of Apollo will also be the promoters of the new company, and they will also be directors in the new company. So, there is no change from that standpoint."Apollo Hospitals, India's largest pan-India hospital chain by revenue, announced its first quarter results post market hours on Tuesday. It posted a 42% on-year rise in first quarter consolidated net profit to ₹433 crore, driven by double-digit growth in all business for the quarter grew 15% on-year to ₹5,842 crore, driven by higher patient volumes and growth in diagnostic footprint. The company saw 26% rise in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation to ₹852 crore. It had earlier in the quarter announced spinning off its omni-channel pharmacy and digital health business into a new entity Apollo Healthtech."The application to the stock exchanges have been already made and once their approval is received, we can file to the CCI (Competition Commission of India) and NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) simultaneously. We expect the listing to happen around January-March of 2027. Some of the NCLT-related approval should come much before that," Akhileswaran Hospitals Enterprise chairman Prathap C Reddy said, "The demerger of our digital health and pharmacy business, approved in the last quarter, is now in the implementation phase. This strategic move will enable focused capital allocation and sharper growth plans with dedicated management teams for both hospital operations and omnichannel healthcare ecosystem."The hospital chain aims to add 4,370 beds through acquisition, brownfield and greenfield expansion over the next 3-4 years, with the first phase of 2,000 beds is already in progress. "Patient numbers across our network increased year-on-year. The quarter saw us announce our ambitious growth strategy to add over 4,300 beds in the next five years with an investment of over ₹7,600 crore," said Dr Reddy.
