GERD

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). This frequent acid reflux can result in irritation of the lining of the esophagus.

Acid reflux occurs because the valve at the end of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly when food hits the stomach. A backwash of acid then flows back up through the esophagus and into the throat or mouth, resulting in a sour taste.

Common symptoms of GERD include:

• Heartburn after eating or at night.
• Chest pain.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Sore throat.
• Regurgitation.
• Chronic cough.
• Disrupted sleep.

How is GERD Diagnosed?

If you are experiencing GERD symptoms, be sure to bring this up with your doctor. He or she will be able to diagnose GERD based on a physical exam, a history of your symptoms and some tests. These tests may include upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry or an X-ray of the upper digestive system in order to confirm a diagnosis or check for complications.

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Treatment Options for GERD

There are many different treatment options for GERD, depending on the severity of your symptoms. These may include:

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Your doctor may suggest certain changes to help control your GERD symptoms such as eating smaller servings of food, eating slowly and avoiding certain foods that may trigger GERD such as caffeine, alcohol and fatty foods. Stopping smoking and staying at a healthy weight can also be helpful in managing symptoms.

OTC Medications

Over-the-counter medications may be helpful for some cases of GERD. These may include antacids to neutralize stomach acid, medications to reduce stomach acid production or medications to block acid production and to help heal esophageal tissue.

Prescription Medications

If OTC medications are not effective in treating GERD, prescription-strength medications may be helpful. These may include H-2-receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors or medications to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter.

Surgery

Individuals who do not respond to medication may be good candidates for surgery. Your doctor might recommend fundoplication, which is a minimally invasive procedure that creates a new valve at the bottom of the esophagus. During this procedure, the upper part of the stomach called the fundus is wrapped around the lower part of the esophagus to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter. Another minimally invasive surgery is the LINX device implantation, in which a small ring of magnets is used to keep the junction between the stomach and esophagus closed.

Tips for Preventing GERD Symptoms

There are some steps that can be taken to prevent the frequent heartburn that occurs along with GERD. These include the following lifestyle changes for a more comfortable you:

• Avoid eating 2-3 hours before bed.
• Prop up your head with a pillow while you sleep.
• Avoid taking NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Take acetaminophen instead.
• Keep stress levels down.
• Avoid trigger foods such as citrus fruits, chocolate, peppermint, tomato products, garlic, onions and spicy or fatty foods.

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