What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder where stomach acid comes up from the stomach and into the esophagus, the connection between your mouth and your stomach food moves along after you swallow. When this happens the sufferer will experience heartburn or acid indigestion, and the burning sensation in the upper abdomen resulting from this can be a cause of intense discomfort. 

GERD is the result of the lower esophageal sphincter starting to malfunction. It continues to open to allow food to enter the stomach but after that it doesn’t close to prevent digestive fluids (stomach acid) from moving up into the esophagus. Untreated gastroesophageal reflux disease may lead to an esophageal ulcer or Barret’s esophagus, which can then cause esophageal cancer.

What Causes GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease may be the result of a person suffering a hiatal hernia. This is when the upper part of the stomach moves into the chest through an opening in the diaphragmatic muscle that creates a functioning wall between the abdomen and the chest. When this happens stomach contents pass through the small gaps created by the hernia, and the result is acid reflux, heartburn, and acid indigestion. 

GERD occurs more often for people who are significantly overweight or obese, have gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) or connective tissue disease like scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus. GERD may also be a part of pregnancy for women. However, they can expect to see a return to normal digestive function after childbirth.

GERD Symptoms

Heartburn, acid indigestion, and a general burning or painful sensation stemming from the lower esophagus are the standard GERD symptoms when a person has this digestive disorder. Symptoms may be worse when people are lying down or in a prone position. Stomach acid in your esophagus may also make you cough more, and swallowing difficulties, bad breath, or nausea are also possibilities. Some sufferers will find it difficult to stay asleep because of GERD.

GERD Treatment

Standard GERD treatment approaches include using H2 blocker and PPI (proton pump inhibitor) class drugs like Tagamet or Dexilant, and your doctor may also tell you to avoid GERD trigger foods as part of your treatment regimen. Fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, and peppermint are the foods that cause GERD most regularly. They may also recommend that you cut back on alcoholic beverages.

It may also be advisable to eat smaller servings at meals as part of your GERD treatment, and chewing mouthfuls of food more thoroughly before you swallow them. For cases of severe GERD surgery may be required, and surgeries like TIF (transoral incisionless fundoplication, LINX surgery, or a Stretta procedure can be very helpful for people who don’t get the relief they need from medication and diet changes.