Duodenogastric reflux. Symptoms and Treatment

Duodenogastric reflux is a phenomenon in which part of the contents of the duodenum is thrown into the stomach. As a rule, duodenogastric reflux accompanies such diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic gastritis, duodenal ulcers and stomach ulcers.

Duodenogastric reflux. Possible consequences

The liver and pancreas ducts exit into the duodenum, for this reason, its secret contains a large amount of bile and juices of the pancreas. When these liquids are injected into the stomach, its mucosa is not able to neutralize the enzymes of bile and pancreatic, inflammation begins and there is a possibility of a serious burn of the stomach mucosa. The result can be a disease, such as reflux gastritis (another name - chemical gastritis type C).

Duodenogastric reflux. Symptoms

Symptoms associated with duodenogastric reflux are not always clearly pronounced. Sometimes this phenomenon can occur absolutely asymptomatically, but it is detected during electrocardroduodenoscopy.

Usually duodenogastric reflux is accompanied by symptoms such as belching, bitterness or dry mouth, lack of appetite, nausea and weakness after eating.

Duodenogastric reflux. Treatment

To determine the method of treatment, it is necessary to discover the original, true cause of its occurrence, to undergo a series of examinations to reveal the presence of peptic ulcer, gastritis, duodenitis. Treatment of reflux, as a rule, begins with the therapy of the diseases that caused it. Often in the case of elimination of the underlying disease, duodenogastric reflux disappears.

Nevertheless, cases when the solution of this problem causes significant difficulties are not uncommon, especially if the root cause of the onset of reflux is surgical intervention in the area of the gastrointestinal tract,

In this case, the doctor should prescribe drugs that neutralize the effect of bile on the stomach and its mucous membrane, as well as medicines that promote accelerated emptying of the esophagus and stomach, increasing the tone of the esophageal sphincter. To do this, prokinetic drugs, such as metoclopramide, domperidone, are administered for an uninterrupted short term, usually up to 3 weeks. One of the negative aspects of this treatment is the possible resumption of reflux symptoms after withdrawal of medications.

The course of reflux treatment should also include the use of proton pump inhibitors, especially in diseases for which an increased level of acidity is characteristic. This group of drugs helps to neutralize the aggressive action of hydrochloric acid on the gastric mucosa. It is worth giving preference to drugs of the last generation, such as pantoprazole. They have very few side effects and are approved for use even by pregnant women.

Another group of agents used in duodenogastric reflux are antacids. They bind the bile chemically, but they do not affect the level of hydrochloric acid. And besides, antacids protect the gastric mucosa, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect. These drugs are available in the form of suspensions or gels.

To date, the drugs of ursodeoxycholic acid are often used to treat reflux . With their help, bile acids are converted into water-soluble forms. This reduces the negative effect of bile on mucous membranes. Usually, the drug is prescribed twice a day.

In general, treatment of duodenogastric reflux requires a course lasting no less than two months. The full effect of the treatment can be achieved only with a sufficiently long intake of drugs.