The number of cases in the city is on a steady decline, but doctors say they are seeing a lot of Covid-induced Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) cases. While doctors said they haven’t seen GERD in recovered patients of the Delta variant, they are observing up to four cases a day of the ailment in the third wave.

Dr Roy Patankar, consultant gastroenterologist, Zen Super Speciality Hospital, who has been seeing 2-3 cases a day said, “We have seen an increase in GERD especially in patients with Covid. The Covid infection can cause gastro-intestinal issues leading to vomiting, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea, and pain in the abdomen.” He said many multiple combination drugs are used during the treatment of Covid-19 like steroids, antivirals, anti-fungals, antibiotics, etc. which have a serious effect on the gastrointestinal system during the recovery phase. “While we haven’t seen many GERD cases in the previous two waves, we are seeing more cases in this wave. One of the major reasons behind this can be a sedentary lifestyle, eating oily and adulterated food, lack of exercise, increase in self-medication during the lockdown in the fear of visiting the hospital,” Dr Patankar said.