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What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD is a condition in which
stomach acid, enzymes and bile flow backward into the esophagus
on a chronic, or frequent basis.
What is the Lower Esophageal Sphincter?
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the place where the esophagus
and the stomach meet. There is a “one-way” valve
that opens and closes to allow food to pass from the esophagus
into the stomach. This valve is supposed to stay closed (with
the exception of opening to enable you to belch) to keep acid
in the stomach. In patients with GERD, this valve opens frequently,
allowing stomach contents to “reflux” backward into
the esophagus.
What is Heartburn?
The most common symptom of gastoesophageal reflux is heartburn.
Many patients feel the burning sensation in their chest due to
recurrent reflux. The pain can be dull or sharp, and can radiate
to the back. The pain occurs when stomach acids irritate the
delicate lining of the esophagus. The stomach has a very thick,
durable lining that is designed to tolerate exposure to stomach
acid. The esophagus has a thinner, more delicate lining that
becomes irritated when exposed to stomach acid.
Just about everyone has had heartburn at one time or another. But
if you are experiencing heartburn frequently you may have GERD.
Symptoms of GERD
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Belching
- Bloating
- Chronic Cough
- Chronic Sore Throat
- Laryngitis
- Difficulty Sleeping or Lying Flat
- Asthma
Symptoms of GERD may also include all of the above. Many people
have regurgitation, a bitter or sour taste of acid in the back
of their throat, chronic cough, chronic laryngitis, belching and
bloating. The burning pain of heartburn frequently is worse after
eating at night, which results in loss of sleep.
GERD is very common.
There are 14 million Americans with daily, significant GERD.
1 in 15 adults in the United States suffers from heartburn daily.
Almost everyone has occasional symptoms of heartburn. However,
studies of the population show that 14 million Americans have severe
GERD symptoms every day. That’s one out of 15 adults.
How do I know if I have GERD?
Acid reducing medications results in symptom relief.
Your physician may look into your esophagus for signs of inflammation
of the tissue (endoscopy).
You may take a 24-hour pH test which determines the amount of acid
in your esophagus.
There are many ways to tell if you are suffering from GERD. If
yous symptoms respond to anti-acid medications, you most likely
have GERD. Your physician may also perform a diagnostic test on
you called endoscopy twhereby a scope is placed down your esophagus
to look at the tissue. In GERD patients, the esophageal lining
is often inflamed. There is also a 24 hour pH test that detects
the presence of acid in your esophagus.
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