GERD, which means gastro esophageal reflux disease, is often misconstrued as chronic acid reflux syndrome or chronic heartburn. GERD is defined as the reflux of bile and stomach acids that flow back up into the esophagus, causing serious inflammation and irritation of the lining of the esophagus. GERD can cause damage to the esophagus, which may or may not be able to be repaired. Over the counter medications are appropriate for generalized acid reflux or indigestion, but GERD requires appropriate treatments by a qualified physician.
The initial symptoms of GERD include heartburn, chest pain which usually worsens at night or when the body is reclined, difficulty swallowing, coughing, asthmatic symptoms or worsening asthma, wheezing, hoarseness, sore throat, or the regurgitation of either food or a sour liquid. Symptoms may be worse at night or after sunset.
The esophagus is equipped with a flap that keeps the liquids and partially digested food in the stomach. This flap, known as the esophageal sphincter, opens briefly to allow food into the stomach. GERD is caused by the esophageal sphincter either relaxing too much or not closing entirely. Over time, this seeping and backwash of stomach acids can cause significant damage to the esophagus.
Risk factors for GERD include chronic heartburn, obesity, asthma, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, diabetes, peptic ulcer, connective tissue disorders, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. While it is unclear why patients with asthma have difficulty with GERD, the only reasonable explanation that doctors have been able to determine include the changes in pressure to the abdominal muscles due to chronic coughing.
Diagnosing GERD starts with a physical examination as well as a thorough medical history. Heartburn and acid reflux disease can cause similar symptoms, however treatments for indigestion typically do not adequately assist patients suffering from GERD. Physicians may not investigate for GERD unless treatments for heartburn have failed. Barium x-rays, endoscopy, ambulatory acid probe tests, and esophageal impedance tests can often determine the presence of GERD.
GERD can cause the esophagus to become narrow and constricted. It can also cause esophageal ulcers as well as Barrett’s esophagus. While not all that common, Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that causes the color of the lining of the esophagus to change and become precancerous. This is considered a very serious condition and requires prompt treatment. Other complications may include food related issues such as the inability to eat food or the lack of desire to eat food because of the pain that is known to follow.
Over the counter medications can often help but do not cure GERD. Antacids can keep some of the stomach acids under control, although it can not help the esophageal sphincter become more productive. H-2 receptor blockers can help to calm the symptoms associated with GERD and proton pump inhibitors keep stomach acids under control. Surgical procedures are often the most effective method of dealing with GERD. Surgical procedures can often restrict the excessive movement associated with the esophageal sphincter and create a flap that works as it is supposed to. This fix isn’t without its share of complications, but it can be much more effective at removing the symptoms of GERD from a patient’s life while creating a lifetime of appropriate muscle movements of the esophageal sphincter.
Patients suffering from GERD should take a few precautions that can help control or alleviate symptoms including weight control, the consumption of smaller meals, avoidance of laying down after a meal, a loose belt, the avoidance of stooping or bending, elevating the head of the bed, and the avoidance of cigarette smoke. Sometimes consuming small meals that do not have high acid content and aren’t likely to trigger excess stomach acids can help relieve the symptoms associated with GERD.
Gerd videos
Understanding GERD (GERD #1)
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Live Webcast: Surgical Treatment for GERD and Acid Reflux
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Sleep Techniques to Help with Acid Reflux
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Find out more by viewing the Human Anatomy page:
Digestive system
Endocrine system
Medication commonly used for these disease:
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Prilosec, which is generically prescribed as omeprazole, is commonly used to treat the symptoms of gastroesophogeal reflux disease, gastric ulcers, and to promote the healing of the esophagus and stomach lining from the damage caused by erosive esophagiti more...
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Cimetidine is a medication used to prevent ulcers in the stomach and small intestines, treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, prevents upper GI bleeding and prevents acid reflux. There are also unlabeled uses that include: the prevention of aspiration more...
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Metoclopramide is a drug used to relieve symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastro paresis, documented gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) that cannot be treated by conventional methods. Metoclopramide is used to stimulate the uppe more...
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Pepcid, generically know as famotidine prescription strength tablets, is used for short-term treatment and prevention of ulcers, gastreosphageal reflux disease (GERD) and pathological hypersecretory conditions. Pepcid is a member of the family of medicine more...
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Protonix, generically known as pantoprazole, is used as a short term treatment in healing and symptomatic relief from gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD) and as a long term treatment pathological hypersecretory conditions, including Zollinger-Ellison sy more...
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Aciphex, which is generically prescribed as rabeprazole, is commonly used to treat stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or other stomach acid conditions. Aciphex reduces the stomach acid production. Aciphex is not appropriate for everyone more...
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Nexium, which is generically prescribed as esomeprazole, is commonly used to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, as well as the prevention of stomach ulcers, intestinal ulcers, or the erosion of the esophagus more...
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Ranitidine HCL, which is also prescribed as Zantac, is commonly used to decrease acid in the stomach which leads to indigestion, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ranitidine is a member of the family of medications known as histamine 2 block more...
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Also prescribed in its generic form, sucralfate, Carafate is generally used to treat as well as prevent stomach ulcers. It works in the body by coating the ulcer in the stomach, or any erosion that may develop into an ulcer, which protects it from the har more...
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Reglan, generically known as metoclopramide, is a drug used to relieve symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastro paresis, documented gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) that cannot be treated by conventional methods. Reglan is used more...
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