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What is GERD (acid reflux)? - Gastroesophageal reflux disease,
commonly referred to as GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which
the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes)
into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining
(cause, cause esophagitis) of the esophagus although visible signs of
inflammation occur in a minority of patients. The regurgitated
liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the
stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of proteins
in
the stomach.) The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has
backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. (The duodenum is the
first part of the small intestine that attaches to the stomach.) Acid
is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed
liquid.
Pepsin and bile also may injure the esophagus, but their role in the
production of esophageal inflammation and damage is not as clear
as the role of acid. Read More
Video: What Is Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease?
Video: Heartburn and Acid Reflux Testing - Endoscopy
What causes GERD? - The cause of GERD is complex. There probably are
multiple causes, and different causes may be operative in
different individuals, or even in the same individual at different
times. A small number of patients with GERD produce abnormally large
amounts of acid, but this is uncommon and not a contributing factor in
the vast majority of patients. The factors that contribute to GERD
are the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernias, esophageal
contractions, and emptying of the stomach. Read More
What are the symptoms of uncomplicated GERD? - The symptoms of
uncomplicated GERD are primarily heartburn, regurgitation, and
nausea. Other symptoms occur when there are complications of GERD and
will be discussed with the complications. Read More
How is GERD diagnosed and evaluated? =97 The usual way that GERD is
diagnosed=97or at least suspected=97is by its characteristic
symptom, heartburn. Heartburn is most frequently described as a sub-
sternal (under the middle of the chest) burning that occurs after
meals and often worsens when lying down. To confirm the diagnosis,
physicians often treat patients with medications to suppress the
production of acid by the stomach. If the heartburn then is diminished
to a large extent, the diagnosis of GERD is considered confirmed.
This approach of making a diagnosis on the basis of a response of the
symptoms to treatment is commonly called a therapeutic trial.
Read More
How is GERD treated? =97 One of the simplest treatments for GERD is
referred to as life-style changes, a combination of several
changes in habit, particularly related to eating. Read More
What is a reasonable approach to the management of GERD? =97 There are
several ways to approach the evaluation and management of
GERD. The approach depends primarily on the frequency and severity of
symptoms, the adequacy of the response to treatment, and the
presence of complications. Read More
What are the unresolved issues in GERD? - The cause of GERD is
complex. There probably are multiple causes, and different causes
may be operative in different individuals, or even in the same
individual at different times. A small number of patients with GERD
produce
abnormally large amounts of acid, but this is uncommon and not a
contributing factor in the vast majority of patients. The factors
that
contribute to GERD are the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernias,
esophageal contractions, and emptying of the stomach. Read
More
What are the unresolved issues in GERD? - The cause of GERD is
complex. There probably are multiple causes, and different causes
may be operative in different individuals, or even in the same
individual at different times. A small number of patients with GERD
produce
abnormally large amounts of acid, but this is uncommon and not a
contributing factor in the vast majority of patients. The factors
that
contribute to GERD are the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernias,
esophageal contractions, and emptying of the stomach.
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