Definition:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, known by the moniker GERD, is a disease characterized by damage resulting from an abnormal acid reflux into the esophagal track. This is usually a result of the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus changing.
Diagnosis:
Tests that may be done to check for GERD include X-rays requiring barium swallows and pH monitoring of the esophageal region for 24 hours. Endoscopy can also be done to look at the surface of the esophageal lining.
Treatment:
The most popular pharmaceutical treatments for GERD are proton pump inhibitors and antacids. Proton pump inhibitors effectively reduce the secretion of gastric acids. Antacids, taken before one's meals or at the outset of symptoms, can help lower the acidity of the gastric region.
Lifestyle treatments suggest taking smaller but more frequent meals. Avoiding food intake about 2-3 hours before going to bed is also advocated.
Symptoms and Signs:
The primary symptom of GERD is heartburn, usually felt as a “burning” feeling of pain and discomfort near the heart. Chronic chest pain, difficulty in swallowing, cough, ear pain, nausea, and even sinusitis, may manifest, although, a patient will likely experience only one of these symptoms.
Causes:
GERD results from the esophagus being angled in a way that in unable to prevent enzymes, duodenal bile, and stomach acid from travelling back. This causes inflammation of the sensitive tissues of the esophagus.
Another cause is too little stomach acid, which is necessary to trigger the opening of intestinal valves. With too little stomach acid, the stomach is unable to empty its contents into the intestines, causing these contents to be pushed back into the esophagus.
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