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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (gerd) Information

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, iswhich are heartburn and regurgitation. In
the medical term for what most people refersome cases a physician will not do tests
to  as  acid  reflux  disease.right away but will first prescribe
over-the-counter or prescription medications
Gastroesophageal is a relatively new term forto  see  if  they  clear  up  the  symptoms.
acid reflux disease. It has been used for
approximately the past 20 years. Before thatIf the medications do not take care of the
it was just referred to as heartburn. Butsymptoms then a physician will likely do one
heartburn is just one of the symptoms ofor more of the following diagnostic tests:
GERD. Some of the other symptoms of GERD arex-rays with a barium swallow, an upper
regurgitation, hoarseness or laryngitis, thegastrointestinal x-ray series, an upper
feeling of a lump in the throat, coughing,endoscopy, an esophageal manometry, or a
bad breath, asthma, difficulty swallowing,24-hour pH probe. The reason physicians may
and water brash. Some people with GERD do nottry over-the-counter or prescription
have  any  symptoms  at  all.medications before running tests is because
some of the tests, such as the upper
What happens to cause GERD? It starts withendoscopy and pH probe are invasive, and
acid in the stomach washing back up into thebecause  of  the  costs of some of the tests.
esophagus repeatedly, which happens if the
lower  esophageal  sphincter becomes relaxed.After diagnosing GERD, a physician will
recommend lifestyle changes such as the ones
Some foods and beverages can cause the lowermentioned earlier in this article to help
esophageal sphincter to relax. This is not ancontrol the GERD, and depending on the
all-inclusive list but some of the mostseverity will recommend over-the-counter
common are: chocolate, licorice, peppermint,medications or will prescribe a stronger
fatty foods, caffeinated beverages, andmedication by prescription. The medications
alcohol. Barbiturates, calcium-channelmay need to be continued indefinitely because
blockers, Diazepam and Sumitriptan are someover half of all people who stop taking their
of the medications that cause the lowermedications after getting their symptoms
esophageal sphincter to relax and allow acidunder control have a recurrence within a
back  in  to  the  esophagus.year.
Lifestyle changes can be very effective inIf the medications do not alleviate the
helping to control GERD although over-symptoms, surgery may be needed. Surgery is
the-counter medications, prescriptionalso an alternative to having to take
medications, and possibly surgery, may alsomedications indefinitely. A procedure called
be necessary. Some of the lifestyle changesa "Nissen fundoplication" is the type of
that may help control GERD include: losingsurgery typically done to relieve GERD. In
weight if you are overweight, avoidingthe surgery the upper part of the stomach
high-fat foods, not lying down right afterlocated near the esophagus, called the
eating, not eating large heavy meals (i.e."fundus," is wrapped around the lower
don't overstuff yourself-especially on fattyesophagus. Doing this strengthens the barrier
foods), and stopping smoking if you are afunction of the lower esophagus, thus
smoker.preventing gastreosophageal reflux and
repairing the main irregularity that occurs
GERD can be a difficult disease to diagnosis.in people suffering from GERD. The surgery is
That is because of the wide range of symptomsusually done laparoscopically. It is
people can experience and the complication ofconsidered a safe surgery (but remember any
some people not experiencing any symptoms atsurgery carries risks) that typically gives
all. It is easier to diagnosis if a person isgood results.
experiencing the classic symptoms of GERD



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