Definition: gas tro e soph a ge al re f lux dis ease (GERD) from Stedman's Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing

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Topic Page: Gastroesophageal reflux Definition: gas tro e soph a ge al re f lux dis ease (GERD) from Stedman's Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing (gas trō-ĕ-sof ă-jē ăl rē

1 Topic Page: Gastroesophageal reflux Definition: gas tro e soph a ge al re f lux dis ease (GERD) from Stedman's Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing (gas trō-ĕ-sof ă-jē ăl rē flŭks di-zēz ) A syndrome of chronic or recurrent epigastric or retrosternal pain, accompanied by varying degrees of belching, nausea, cough, or hoarseness, due to reflux of acid gastric juice into the lower esophagus; results from malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and disordered gastric motility; may lead to peptic esophagitis, ulceration, stricture, or Barrett esophagus. syn gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Summary Article: Gastroesophageal Ref lux Disease (GERD) from Harvard Medical School Health Topics A-Z What Is It? Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is commonly called Image from: Reflux Also heartburn. This digestive disorder most often causes a burning and known as sometimes squeezing sensation in the mid-chest. gastroesophageal... in In GERD, acid and digestive enzymes from the stomach flow Harvard Medical School backwards into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your Special Health Reports mouth to your stomach. This backward flow of stomach juices is called "reflux". These caustic stomach juices inflame the lining of the esophagus. If GERD is not treated, it can permanently damage the esophagus. A muscular ring seals the esophagus from the stomach. This ring is called the esophageal sphincter. Normally, the sphincter opens when you swallow, allowing food into your stomach. The rest of the time, it squeezes tight to prevent food and acid in the stomach from backing up into the esophagus. In most people with GERD, however, the esophageal sphincter does not seal tightly. It remains relaxed between swallows. This allows digestive juices to enter the esophagus and irritate the esophageal lining. Many things can weaken or loosen the lower esophageal sphincter. These include: Certain foods Smoking Alcohol Pregnancy Many medications Increased abdominal pressure, because of obesity or pregnancy A bulge in the stomach (hiatal hernia) that protrudes above the diaphragm

Prolonged exposure to acid can cause the esophagus to: Become inflamed Narrow Develop an open sore Long-term exposure to acid also can lead to a condition called Barrett's esophagus.

Symptoms Symptoms of GERD may include: Sharp or burning chest pain behind the breastbone. This is also known as heartburn. It is the most common symptom of GERD.

2 Prolonged exposure to acid can cause the esophagus to: Become inflamed Narrow Develop an open sore Long-term exposure to acid also can lead to a condition called Barrett's esophagus. Barrett's esophagus increases the risk of esophageal cancer. For many people with GERD, heartburn is not merely an occasional discomfort. Rather, it is a frequent, even daily, ordeal. Symptoms Symptoms of GERD may include: Sharp or burning chest pain behind the breastbone. This is also known as heartburn. It is the most common symptom of GERD. Heartburn may be worse when you eat, bend over or lie down. Tightness in your chest or upper abdomen. The pain may wake you up in the middle of the night. Regurgitation, the backflow of stomach fluids into your mouth Nausea A recurring sour or bitter taste in the mouth Difficulty swallowing

3 Hoarseness, especially in the morning Sore throat Coughing, wheezing or repeatedly needing to clear your throat Diagnosis Your doctor will ask you: How often you have heartburn or other symptoms of GERD Whether your symptoms are worse when you lie down or bend over Whether your symptoms are relieved by over-the-counter heartburn remedies Your doctor also will review your current medications. Some medications can loosen the esophageal sphincter. These include: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen Blood pressure or heart medications such as calcium channel blockers and nitroglycerin Osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates Progestins, such as progesterone Medicines that reduce the amount of saliva you produce, such as antihistamines and antidepressants Pain that feels like heartburn also can be a symptom of coronary artery disease. Your doctor may ask whether you have any symptoms of heart problems. He or she may test for heart problems. If your only complaint is mild heartburn and your physical examination is normal, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. You may not need any special diagnostic testing or prescription treatment. If you have more serious symptoms, or if your heartburn is not relieved by medications, you will need further testing. Serious symptoms include severe, long-lasting heartburn, difficulty swallowing or weight loss. The best test for GERD is an endoscopy. The doctor looks directly at your esophagus with an endoscope. This is a flexible tube that can be passed through the mouth and throat. Endoscopy is usually is done by a gastroenterology specialist. During endoscopy, your doctor may take a small sample of tissue to be examined in a laboratory. Your doctor also may look at your stomach and first part of the small intestines with the endoscope. You also may have one or more of the following tests: Barium swallow An X-ray test that outlines the esophagus. Cardiac evaluation To check for heart disease.

4 Esophageal manometry or motility studies To check the squeezing motion of your esophagus when you are swallowing. Esophageal ph monitoring Uses electrodes to measure the ph (acid level) in the esophagus. It is usually done over a 24-hour period. Expected Duration Without treatment, GERD is typically a long-term problem. Symptoms may be relieved within days of treatment. But for many patients, several weeks of treatment are needed before symptoms lessen or resolve. Treatment often has to continue for a long period. Even with daily medication, many people with reflux continue to have symptoms. Prevention There are a lot of things you can do to prevent the symptoms of GERD. Some simple lifestyle changes include: Elevate the head of your bed at least six inches. If possible, put wooden blocks under the legs at the head of the bed. Or, use a solid foam wedge under the head portion of the mattress. Simply using extra pillows may not help. Avoid foods that cause the esophageal sphincter to relax during their digestion. These include: Coffee Chocolate Fatty foods Whole milk Peppermint Spearmint Limit acidic foods that make the irritation worse when they are regurgitated. These include citrus fruits and tomatoes. Avoid carbonated beverages. Burps of gas force the esophageal sphincter to open and can promote reflux. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Do not lie down after eating. Do not eat during the three to four hours before you go to bed. If you smoke, quit.

5 Avoid drinking alcohol. It loosens the esophageal sphincter. Lose weight if you are obese. Obesity can make it harder for the esophageal sphincter to stay closed. Avoid wearing tight-fitting garments. Increased pressure on the abdomen can open the esophageal sphincter. Use lozenges or gum to keep producing saliva. Treatment Treatment for most people with GERD includes lifestyle changes as described above and medication. If symptoms persist, surgery or endoscopy treatments are other options. Medications There are several medications that can be used to treat GERD. They include: Over-the-counter acid buf f ers Buffers neutralize acid. They include Mylanta, Maalox, Tums, Rolaids, and Gaviscon. The liquid forms of these medications work faster But the tablets may be more convenient. Antacids that contain magnesium can cause diarrhea. And antacids that contain aluminum can cause constipation. Your doctor may advise you to alternate antacids to avoid these problems. These medicines work for a short time and they do not heal the inflammation of the esophagus. Over-the-counter H2 blockers These drugs cause the stomach to make less acid. They are effective in patients with mild to moderate symptoms. They include famotidine (Pepcid AC), cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and ranitidine (Zantac 75). Over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors Proton pump inhibitors shut off the stomach's acid production. Proton pump inhibitors are very effective. They can be especially helpful in patients who do not respond to H2 blockers and antacids. These drugs are more potent acid-blockers than are H2 blockers, but they take longer to begin their effect. Proton pump inhibitors should not be combined with an H2 blocker. The H2 blocker can prevent the proton pump inhibitor from working. Prescription medications Prescription medications include: H2 blockers These are prescribed at higher doses than those available in over-thecounter forms. Proton pump inhibitors A variety of proton pump inhibitors are available by prescription. Motility drugs These medications may help to decrease esophageal reflux. But they are not usually used as the only treatment for GERD. They help the stomach to

empty faster, which decreases the amount of time during which reflux can occur. Mucosal protectors These medications coat, soothe and protect the irritated esophageal lining.

6 empty faster, which decreases the amount of time during which reflux can occur. Mucosal protectors These medications coat, soothe and protect the irritated esophageal lining. One example is sucralfate (Carafate). Surgery Surgery is an option for people with severe, difficult-to-control GERD symptoms. It may also be considered for people who have complications such as asthma or pneumonia, or scar tissue in the esophagus. Some people who do not want to take medications for a long time may choose surgery. Surgery for GERD can be done using camera-guided instruments. This technique is called laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery requires smaller incisions than conventional surgery. In a procedure called Nissen fundoplication, excess stomach tissue is folded around the esophagus and sewn in place. This holds extra pressure around the weakened esophageal sphincter. This operation appears to relieve symptoms about as much as prescription acid-blocking medicines. The success rates of surgery might be lower for people whose symptoms are not relieved by antiacid medicines. Following surgery, some people have a lasting bothersome side effect. But most people who undergo surgery are very satisfied with the results. Potential side effects include swallowing difficulty, diarrhea and the inability to belch or vomit to relieve bloating or nausea. Endoscopy treatments The lower esophageal sphincter can be sometimes be tightened using an endoscope. The procedures currently used are stitching (plication) and radiofrequency heating (the Stretta procedure). These procedures are newer and long term success still needs to be determined.

7 Prognosis Most patients improve after treatment with medication. But it can take weeks of treatment before symptoms begin to improve. Additional Info National Digestive Diseases Inf ormation Clearinghouse 2 Information Way Bethesda, MD Toll-Free: (800) Phone: (301) Fax: (301) American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 4900 B South, 31st St. Arlington, VA Phone: (703) Fax: (703) Related Articles Hiatal Hernia, Esophageal Rings And Webs Medical content created by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Copyright by Harvard University. Selected illustrations copyright Harvard University, Krames, and the StayWell Company. Content Licensing by Belvoir Media Group. All rights reserved WARNING: The information contained in this Harvard Health Publication may not be considered current medical content and should only be used for research and reference purposes. As new scientific information becomes available, recommended protocols and treatments may undergo changes. Any practice described in this publication should be applied by the reader in accordance with professional standards of care used in regard to the unique circumstances that may apply in each situation and should not be used as a substitute for a medical professional's judgment.

8 APA Chicago Harvard MLA Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). (2017). In Harvard Medical School (Ed.), Health reference series: Harvard Medical School health topics A-Z. Boston, MA: Harvard Health Publications. Retrieved from Copyright 2016 Harvard Health Publications Copyright 2016 Harvard Health Publications

9 APA Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). (2017). In Harvard Medical School (Ed.), Health reference series: Harvard Medical School health topics A-Z. Boston, MA: Harvard Health Publications. Retrieved from Chicago "Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)." In Harvard Medical School Health Topics A-Z, edited by Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). (2017). In Harvard Medical School (Ed.), Health reference series: Harvard Medical School health topics A-Z. [Online]. Boston: Harvard Health Publications. Available from: [Accessed 18 November 2018]. MLA "Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)." Harvard Medical School Health Topics A-Z, edited by Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publications, Credo Reference,. Accessed 18 Nov

GERD. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when acid from the. stomach backs up into the esophagus. Normally, food travels from the

GERD. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when acid from the. stomach backs up into the esophagus. Normally, food travels from the GERD What is GERD? Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus. Normally, food travels from the mouth, down through the esophagus and into the