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GERD - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a condition in which stomach contents splash up into the esophagus. The esophagus is a narrow, muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
What is going on in the body?
The esophagus is connected to the stomach by the esophageal sphincter. This is a muscular ring. Normally, this muscle performs two major functions. It opens to allow food to pass into the stomach. It also closes to keep the stomach contents out of the esophagus.
If this sphincter weakens or relaxes, the contents of the stomach splash back up into the esophagus. This splashing is known as gastroesophageal reflux.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
GERD can be caused by a weak esophageal sphincter that is present at birth or that develops later in life. A hiatal hernia can also cause GERD. Hiatal hernia is a condition in which the stomach pushes up into the diaphragm muscle. When this happens, the esophageal sphincter does not work properly. As a result, the fluid can easily leak back into the esophagus.
Factors that make GERD worse include the following:
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
GERD causes burning pain under the breastbone or in the upper abdomen, often called heartburn. This pain may increase when eating, bending over, or lying down. Antacids usually relieve the pain. Pain may increase at night or cause a person to wake up during the night. Other symptoms of GERD include the following:
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the disease diagnosed?
The diagnosis of GERD begins with a medical history and physical examination. The healthcare provider may then order an esophagoscopy. A thin tube with a light and camera attached to it is passed down into the esophagus. This allows a doctor to look at the inside lining of the esophagus directly through the endoscope. Small monitors can be dropped into the throat to monitor the acid level in the esophagus.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
There is no way to prevent gastroesophageal reflux. Once it develops, symptoms can be minimized by following treatments outlined below.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Most GERD sufferers have frequent, severe heartburn. This tears down and damages the cell wall lining of the esophagus. Without treatment, GERD can lead to the following conditions:
What are the risks to others?
GERD is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the disease?
People with GERD can minimize symptoms by taking the following steps:
Some of the common medical and surgical treatments for GERD include the following:
A surgical procedure known as dilation is done to correct an esophageal stricture. The surgeon passes a series of dilators down the esophagus. The dilators gently stretch the narrowed opening apart.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Medications used to treat GERD may cause dry mouth, bloating, and allergic reactions. Surgery can cause bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to anesthesia.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Treatment of GERD is lifelong to avoid complications such as Barrett's esophagus.
How is the disease monitored?
Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Attribution
Author:Bill Harrison, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:04/30/01
Reviewer:Barbara Mallari, RN, BSN, PHN
Date Reviewed:08/20/01