Disease: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

    Overview

    Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus.

    Many people experience acid reflux from time to time. GERD is mild acid reflux that occurs at least twice a week, or moderate to severe acid reflux that occurs at least once a week.

    Most people can manage the discomfort of GERD with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. But some people with GERD may need stronger medications or surgery to ease symptoms.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Symptoms

    Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

    • A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night
    • Chest pain
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
    • Sensation of a lump in your throat

    If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience:

    • Chronic cough
    • Laryngitis
    • New or worsening asthma
    • Disrupted sleep

    When to see a doctor

    Seek immediate medical care if you have chest pain, especially if you also have shortness of breath, or jaw or arm pain. These may be signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

    Make an appointment with your doctor if you:

    • Experience severe or frequent GERD symptoms
    • Take over-the-counter medications for heartburn more than twice a week

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Causes

    GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux.

    When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach. Then the sphincter closes again.

    If the sphincter relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Diagnosis

    Your doctor might be able to diagnose GERD based on a physical examination and history of your signs and symptoms.

    To confirm a diagnosis of GERD, or to check for complications, your doctor might recommend:

    • Upper endoscopy. Your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera (endoscope) down your throat, to examine the inside of your esophagus and stomach. Test results can often be normal when reflux is present, but an endoscopy may detect inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) or other complications. An endoscopy can also be used to collect a sample of tissue (biopsy) to be tested for complications such as Barrett's esophagus.
    • Ambulatory acid (pH) probe test. A monitor is placed in your esophagus to identify when, and for how long, stomach acid regurgitates there. The monitor connects to a small computer that you wear around your waist or with a strap over your shoulder. The monitor might be a thin, flexible tube (catheter) that's threaded through your nose into your esophagus, or a clip that's placed in your esophagus during an endoscopy and that gets passed into your stool after about two days.
    • Esophageal manometry. This test measures the rhythmic muscle contractions in your esophagus when you swallow. Esophageal manometry also measures the coordination and force exerted by the muscles of your esophagus.
    • X-ray of your upper digestive system. X-rays are taken after you drink a chalky liquid that coats and fills the inside lining of your digestive tract. The coating allows your doctor to see a silhouette of your esophagus, stomach and upper intestine. You may also be asked to swallow a barium pill that can help diagnose a narrowing of the esophagus that may interfere with swallowing.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Complications

    Over time, chronic inflammation in your esophagus can cause:

    • Narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture). Damage to the lower esophagus from stomach acid causes scar tissue to form. The scar tissue narrows the food pathway, leading to problems with swallowing.
    • An open sore in the esophagus (esophageal ulcer). Stomach acid can wear away tissue in the esophagus, causing an open sore to form. An esophageal ulcer can bleed, cause pain and make swallowing difficult.
    • Precancerous changes to the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus). Damage from acid can cause changes in the tissue lining the lower esophagus. These changes are associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Alternative medicine

    No alternative medicine therapies have been proved to treat GERD or reverse damage to the esophagus. Some complementary and alternative therapies may provide some relief, when combined with your doctor's care.

    Talk to your doctor about what alternative GERD treatments may be safe for you. The options might include:

    • Herbal remedies. Licorice and chamomile are sometimes used to ease GERD. Herbal remedies can have serious side effects and might interfere with medications. Ask your doctor about a safe dosage before beginning any herbal remedy.
    • Relaxation therapies. Techniques to calm stress and anxiety may reduce signs and symptoms of GERD. Ask your doctor about relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Lifestyle and home remedies

    Lifestyle changes may help reduce the frequency of acid reflux. Try to:

    • Maintain a healthy weight. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up your stomach and causing acid to reflux into your esophagus.
    • Stop smoking. Smoking decreases the lower esophageal sphincter's ability to function properly.
    • Elevate the head of your bed. If you regularly experience heartburn while trying to sleep, place wood or cement blocks under the feet of your bed so that the head end is raised by 6 to 9 inches. If you can't elevate your bed, you can insert a wedge between your mattress and box spring to elevate your body from the waist up. Raising your head with additional pillows isn't effective.
    • Don't lie down after a meal. Wait at least three hours after eating before lying down or going to bed.
    • Eat food slowly and chew thoroughly. Put down your fork after every bite and pick it up again once you have chewed and swallowed that bite.
    • Avoid foods and drinks that trigger reflux. Common triggers include fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine.
    • Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Clothes that fit tightly around your waist put pressure on your abdomen and the lower esophageal sphincter.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Risk factors

    Conditions that can increase your risk of GERD include:

    • Obesity
    • Bulging of the top of the stomach up into the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
    • Pregnancy
    • Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma
    • Delayed stomach emptying

    Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include:

    • Smoking
    • Eating large meals or eating late at night
    • Eating certain foods (triggers) such as fatty or fried foods
    • Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee
    • Taking certain medications, such as aspirin

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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