| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is | | | | which are heartburn and regurgitation. In |
| the medical term for what most people refer | | | | some 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 for | | | | to see if they clear up the symptoms. |
| acid reflux disease. It has been used for | | | | |
| approximately the past 20 years. Before that | | | | If the medications do not take care of the |
| it was just referred to as heartburn. But | | | | symptoms then a physician will likely do one |
| heartburn is just one of the symptoms of | | | | or more of the following diagnostic tests: |
| GERD. Some of the other symptoms of GERD are | | | | x-rays with a barium swallow, an upper |
| regurgitation, hoarseness or laryngitis, the | | | | gastrointestinal 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 not | | | | try 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 with | | | | endoscopy and pH probe are invasive, and |
| acid in the stomach washing back up into the | | | | because 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 lower | | | | mentioned earlier in this article to help |
| esophageal sphincter to relax. This is not an | | | | control the GERD, and depending on the |
| all-inclusive list but some of the most | | | | severity will recommend over-the-counter |
| common are: chocolate, licorice, peppermint, | | | | medications or will prescribe a stronger |
| fatty foods, caffeinated beverages, and | | | | medication by prescription. The medications |
| alcohol. Barbiturates, calcium-channel | | | | may need to be continued indefinitely because |
| blockers, Diazepam and Sumitriptan are some | | | | over half of all people who stop taking their |
| of the medications that cause the lower | | | | medications after getting their symptoms |
| esophageal sphincter to relax and allow acid | | | | under control have a recurrence within a |
| back in to the esophagus. | | | | year. |
| | | | |
| Lifestyle changes can be very effective in | | | | If the medications do not alleviate the |
| helping to control GERD although over- | | | | symptoms, surgery may be needed. Surgery is |
| the-counter medications, prescription | | | | also an alternative to having to take |
| medications, and possibly surgery, may also | | | | medications indefinitely. A procedure called |
| be necessary. Some of the lifestyle changes | | | | a "Nissen fundoplication" is the type of |
| that may help control GERD include: losing | | | | surgery typically done to relieve GERD. In |
| weight if you are overweight, avoiding | | | | the surgery the upper part of the stomach |
| high-fat foods, not lying down right after | | | | located 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 fatty | | | | esophagus. Doing this strengthens the barrier |
| foods), and stopping smoking if you are a | | | | function 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 symptoms | | | | usually done laparoscopically. It is |
| people can experience and the complication of | | | | considered a safe surgery (but remember any |
| some people not experiencing any symptoms at | | | | surgery carries risks) that typically gives |
| all. It is easier to diagnosis if a person is | | | | good results. |
| experiencing the classic symptoms of GERD | | | | |