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for what most people refer to as acid reflux disease.
Gastroesophageal is a relatively new term for acid reflux
disease. It has been used for approximately the past 20 years.
Before that it was just referred to as heartburn. But heartburn
is just one of the symptoms of GERD. Some of the other symptoms
of GERD are regurgitation, hoarseness or laryngitis, the feeling
of a lump in the throat, coughing, bad breath, asthma,
difficulty swallowing, and water brash. Some people with GERD do
not have any symptoms at all.
What happens to cause GERD? It starts with acid in the stomach
washing back up into the esophagus repeatedly, which happens if
the lower esophageal sphincter becomes relaxed.
Some foods and beverages can cause the lower esophageal
sphincter to relax. This is not an all-inclusive list but some
of the most common are: chocolate, licorice, peppermint, fatty
foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol. Barbiturates,
calcium-channel blockers, Diazepam and Sumitriptan are some of
the medications that cause the lower esophageal sphincter to
relax and allow acid back in to the esophagus.
Lifestyle changes can be very effective in helping to control
GERD although over- the-counter medications, prescription
medications, and possibly surgery, may also be necessary. Some
of the lifestyle changes that may help control GERD include:
losing weight if you are overweight, avoiding high-fat foods,
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not lying down right after eating, not eating large heavy meals
(i.e. don't overstuff yourself--especially on fatty foods), and
stopping smoking if you are a smoker.
GERD can be a difficult disease to diagnosis. That is because of
the wide range of symptoms people can experience and the
complication of some people not experiencing any symptoms at
all. It is easier to diagnosis if a person is experiencing the
classic symptoms of GERD which are heartburn and regurgitation.
In some cases a physician will not do tests right away but will
first prescribe over-the-counter or prescription medications to
see if they clear up the symptoms.
If the medications do not take care of the symptoms then a
physician will likely do one or more of the following diagnostic
tests: x-rays with a barium swallow, an upper gastrointestinal
x-ray series, an upper endoscopy, an esophageal manometry, or a
24-hour pH probe. The reason physicians may try over-the-counter
or prescription medications before running tests is because some
of the tests, such as the upper endoscopy and pH probe are
invasive, and because of the costs of some of the tests.
After diagnosing GERD, a physician will recommend lifestyle
changes such as the ones mentioned earlier in this article to
help control the GERD, and depending on the severity will
recommend over-the-counter medications or will prescribe a
stronger medication by prescription. The medications may need to
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be continued indefinitely because over half of all people who
stop taking their medications after getting their symptoms under
control have a recurrence within a year.
If the medications do not alleviate the symptoms, surgery may be
needed. Surgery is also an alternative to having to take
medications indefinitely. A procedure called a "Nissen
fundoplication" is the type of surgery typically done to relieve
GERD. In the surgery the upper part of the stomach located near
the esophagus, called the "fundus," is wrapped around the lower
esophagus. Doing this strengthens the barrier function of the
lower esophagus, thus preventing gastreosophageal reflux and
repairing the main irregularity that occurs in people suffering
from GERD. The surgery is usually done laparoscopically. It is
considered a safe surgery (but remember any surgery carries
risks) that typically gives good results.
About the author:
D Ruplinger is a featured writer for
http://www.acidrefluxhq.com. For more information about acid
reflux and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) visit
http://www.acidrefluxhq.com
D RuplingerGastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Information
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