Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

(A.K.A: Acid Reflux Disease)

Although many people do not know much about GERD, or its origins, scientists say that it has probably been around as long as heartburn. GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a relatively new term, and unlike the previous terms, it actually describes the disease. The previous terms included “reflux”, “reflux esophagitis”, and “hiatus hernia”, and none of these specifically described the disease. According to researchers, GERD affects 5%-7% of the global population. So obviously, this disease is not as rare as some would hope.

GERD is caused by the chronic relaxation or weakening of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, especially when a person hasn’t eaten anything. This relaxation allows stomach acids, including hydrochloric acid, to reflux, or flow back into, the esophagus and eat away at the muscular lining. This stinging sensation is usually felt behind the breastbone, and is known as heartburn. According to researchers, 60 million American adults experience heartburn once a month, and 25 million Americans suffer DAILY from heartburn. GERD, and heartburn, in children is now more common than previously recognized. According to other studies, more than 50% of the afflicted are between the ages of 45 and 64. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. Sometimes, patients may misinterpret heartburn as a stroke or a sign of heart disease, but there are differences. Heart disease is usually triggered by physical activity, but heartburn can just occur sometimes, or if it is stimulated by a person lying down or bending over, allowing gravity to push some acids up into the esophagus. Other symptoms of the disease include regurgitation of acids or sour contents into the mouth, difficult or painful swallowing, coughing, chest pains, sore throat, and if any acid reaches the mouth, it will eat away enamel from the teeth.

If GERD is left untreated for a long amount of time, the acids will have heavily damaged the esophageal lining, and possibly narrow and scar the esophagus. If GERD is left untreated for an even longer amount of time, the symptoms will worsen, along with the problem. GERD will cause a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, and by this point, the esophageal lining will have been replaced by a lining more like a stomach or intestinal lining, to try and protect it from more acid damage. While this is a smart move by the body, the new lining increases your chances to get some sort of esophageal cancer, and the problem cannot be removed without extensive treatment. In very severe cases, surgery is an option. Surgery does not actually cure the problem, but instead a part of the stomach is wrapped around the bottom of the esophagus so that acids cannot travel back up into the esophagus.

GERD cannot be cured, but it can be effectively managed. Unfortunately, GERD is commonly self-diagnosed as chronic heartburn, and other times it is mistreated, in the case of a person either ignores or takes an antacid to suppress the heartburn. However, if a person consulted their physician, they could probably diagnose the problem as GERD, and treatment would begin instantly. Treatment is not always easy, and it is always a bit more difficult than “taking the purple pill called Nexium”. Antacids are used, so Nexium, or TUMS, may come in handy, and they would need to be taken even after the symptoms were gone. However, if you used an antacid for too long, you could get some nasty side effects, like an altered calcium metabolism, a buildup of magnesium in the body, and diarrhea. Usually, treatment also involves lifestyle changes, because some foods, like chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, and coffee can make heartburn even worse. Other foods that trigger heartburn include citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, pepper, and alcoholic beverages. It is also suggested that a patient reduces portion sizes, eat 2-3 hours before bedtime, and if they are overweight, they should try to lose the excess weight. More often than not, a person who loses weight also loses the heartburn as well.

Although there is no cure, GERD can be managed, and people who previously had the disease may experience relief after proper treatment. It may be as simple as changing your diet, and avoiding pizza or other fatty foods, or it may be as difficult as a long hospital stay. The choice is really up to you, and if you think you may have GERD, or experience any of the symptoms, you should get it checked as soon as possible. If you do, you will not regret it, and it will save you from Barrett’s esophagus, and a long hospital stay to remove that condition. GERD is common, and it can not be cured, but it is a chronic disease, and it may be removed from a person’s life if they simply make simple lifestyle changes, like better food choices, or maybe losing those extra pounds.

Works Cited: A.K.A. Bibliography

1: http://www.aboutgerd.org/ visited 4-28-03

A very short web page with general information

2: http://www.gerd.com/faq/gerd-faq.htm visited 4-28-03

FAQs about GERD…yay.

3: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/heartbrn/heartbrn.htm - gastro visited 4-28-03

Loads of information about GERD

This is also the site where I found the graphic

4: http://www.utmb.edu/otoref/Grnds/GERD-9902/GERD-9902.html visited 4-29-03

Even MORE information about GERD!

as if the other sites weren’t enough…