Millions of people suffer from GERD, or acid reflux disease. Many dismiss chronic acid reflux as heartburn and live with GERD symptoms when treatment is readily available
Acid Reflux Disease (GERD)
Acid reflux disease, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is much more than simple heartburn. Heartburn happens only occasionally, often due to lifestyle choices such as food preferences or alcohol consumption. GERD is a chronic condition: without treatment, acid reflux symptoms occur several times a week.
Acid Reflux Causes
Acid occurs when stomach acid flows back out of the stomach and into the esophagus. While the stomach is designed to withstand harsh stomach acid; the same cannot be said for the tender esophagus lining.
Several possible acid reflux causes exist, but the end result is always the same: stomach acid irritates and damages the esophagus, causing heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms.
Not all people who experience gastric reflux detect any symptoms. Know as "silent reflux" asymptomatic GERD damages the esophageal lining nonetheless. Long term gastroesophageal reflux disease can result in serious acid reflux complications.
How Common is GERD?
GERD is a remarkably common condition. According to the GERD Information Resource Center, as many as 19 million people in the United States of America live with acid reflux symptoms, although many cases of GERD as dismissed as simply heartburn.
Gastric reflux can affect people of all ages. Infants often have gastric reflux, although in the case of infants acid reflux is usually due to an immature digestive system and symptoms self-resolve over time. Pregnancy can also cause temporary GERD symptoms.
Diagnosing GERD
A physical exam and symptom history is usually sufficient for an acid reflux diagnosis. If acid reflux symptoms continue after treatment, other diagnostic tests are considered, including:
Barium Swallow: After drinking a liquid barium solution, x-rays are taken of the esophagus to rule out hiatal hernia, ulcers, or esophageal inflammation.
pH Monitoring: A small tube, inserted into the esophagus, measures changes in esophageal acidity over a period of 24 hours.
Upper Endoscopy: A tiny camera on the end of a tiny tube is inserted into the throat under local anesthetic. The camera allows doctors to look for esophageal damage due to gastric reflux.
Acid Reflux Treatment
Acid reflux treatment varies depending on the individual and his or her lifestyle. Some people control GERD by eating an acid reflux diet and avoiding food that aggravates esophageal reflux. Chronic acid reflux disease can also be controlled with over-the-counter and prescription medications.
In rare cases, acid reflux treatment includes surgery. However, as surgery can cause serious gastroesophageal complications, it is generally only considered if other acid reflux treatments prove ineffective.
Heartburn or GERD?
Distinguishing between heartburn and acid reflux symptoms can be difficult: after all, the two conditions present with very similar symptoms. Use of nonprescription antacids over a two week period suggests the presence of GERD, as does heartburn more than twice a week over a period of two months. If either of these conditions is met, a doctor's appointment to discuss the possibility of acid reflux disease is recommended.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
