Gastroesophageal Reflux

About Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. The primary symptom is heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest that may extend to the throat. Other symptoms include regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, hoarseness, and a sensation of a lump in the throat. GERD affects roughly 10 to 20 percent of adults in Western countries. Risk factors include obesity, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, smoking, and certain medications. Complications of untreated GERD include esophagitis, esophageal stricture, Barretts esophagus a precancerous condition, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis is usually clinical, but endoscopy may be needed for alarm symptoms. Treatment may include lifestyle changes weight loss, reducing trigger foods, not lying down soon after meals, medications H2 blockers famotidine, proton pump inhibitors omeprazole, and surgery fundoplication for refractory cases. Proton pump inhibitors are highly effective but long term use has been associated with osteoporosis, kidney disease, and B12 deficiency. Because heart problems can also cause chest pain, sudden or severe chest pain needs urgent medical assessment.