Let’s Talk About GERD

What does GERD stand for? Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastroesophageal refers to the stomach and esophagus. Reflux refers to the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus.

How common is it? Very common. One out of every five people experience it on a weekly basis. Two out of five people experience it at least once a month. Studies show that one-third of our population has it!

What are the symptoms?

• Chronic heartburn (a burning sensation in the center of the chest that can be painful, disrupt activities of daily living, and keep you awake at night.)
• Acid regurgitation (a sour or bitter taste in the mouth from stomach contents backing up into the esophagus.)
• Frequent belching
• Chronic sore throat
• Laryngitis
• Chronic cough
• Chest pain or pressure (rule out heart conditions first!)
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing or the feeling of food stuck in the esophagus. This is an alarming symptom that requires medical attention as soon as possible!)

What are the causes?

• The esophageal sphincter that normally stops backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus is relaxed at inappropriate times or may become weak
• Other factors:
•       Distention of the stomach from too large of a meal
•       Delayed emptying of the stomach
•       Sliding hiatal hernia
•       Too much stomach acid in general

What can we do about it? GERD can be a chronic disease with treatment sometimes being long-term.

Treatment includes:

• Lifestyle change measures (experiment to find out what may be your problem: avoiding spicy foods, large or fatty meals, alcohol, onions, chocolate, caffeine, citrus fruits/juices, tomato products, times you eat, positions you use, being overweight)
• Over-the-counter medications
• Antacids
• Chewable gummy or tablet
• Liquids
• Dissolvable tablet in water that you drink
• Include Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Maalox, Alka-Seltzer
• Low dose H2 (histamine 2) blockers
• Include Pepcid, Tagamet, Axid, Zantac (Zantac is currently under recall until more details are available)
• ·Proton pump inhibiters (long-lasting reduction of stomach acid production)
• More powerful than the ones mentioned above
• Recommended to be taken daily for fourteen days
• Long term use can have risks
• Include Prilosec, Zegerid, Nexium, Prevacid

These medications may only provide temporary symptom relief. Long-term heartburn can become serious as it has the potential to damage the lining of the esophagus. Please consult your physician for any questions related to a GERD diagnosis and appropriate treatment, tests and medications.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week is happening this month from November 17-23, 2019. If you feel you possibly have GERD, make this a time to do something about it. aboutgerd.org