Gastroesophagal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophagal reflux sounds very intimidating to the lay person, but it is actually something that people commonly experience at least once in their lives. Gastroesophagal reflux is actually the backing up of stomach contents to the esophagus, causing discomfort, as digested matter and stomach acid irritates the esophagus.

The most common symptom of gastroesophagal reflux is heartburn. However, a diagnosis of gastroesophagal reflux disease (GERD) is made if this heartburn causes more significant problems, and happens very frequently. GERD affects at least five to seven percent of the population, and it is a common disease among adults over age 40.

Many different factors can weaken the stomach lining and precipitate the development of GERD. In general, food is a common cause. Fried or fatty foods, as well as chocolate, can lead to GERD. Food normally relaxes the opening of the esophagus to the stomach, and may increase the chance of stomach acid backing up and irritating. The above-mentioned food exacerbates the situation, and when these foods are taken in very large meals, the chance for heartburn is further increased. Alcohol and coffee stimulate acid production, and smoking further worsens the situation.

GERD causes a host of complications that include the development of ulcers in the esophagus due to the frequent back up of acid, narrowing of the esophagus (which causes the increased difficulty in swallowing solid food), and perhaps cancer of the esophagus.

There is presently no cure for GERD. Once a diagnosis is made, a patient must make many adjustments in order to reduce the severity of GERD symptoms and prevent more damage from taking place. Normally, a patient is asked to avoid certain kinds of food (fatty, fried food, and chocolate), smoking, and taking certain drugs like some antidepressants and nitrates, which increase the tendency of the esophagal opening to leak. In very severe cases, surgery is prescribed. Though surgery does not cure the GERD completely, it is normally enough to make a patient symptom-free.