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Anal Fissure
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GERD
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Prevention of Colon Polyps and Cancer
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| | Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease GERD
 Almost
everyone has experienced heartburn. About 25 million American adults suffer
daily from heartburn. It is that burning sensation felt behind the breastbone
and sometimes in the neck and throat. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid
refluxing or splashing up into the esophagus -- the muscular tube that connects
the throat to the stomach. Occasional heartburn is nothing to be concerned
about. However, anyone who has heartburn on a regular basis should consult a
physician. Constant exposure to stomach acid can irritate the lining of the
esophagus and cause other medical problems. Serious heartburn is known as
gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.
What is GERD?
The esophagus carries food and liquid into the stomach. At the lower end of the
esophagus where it enters the stomach, there is a strong muscular ring called
the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES should remain tightly closed,
except to allow food and liquid to pass into the stomach. Reflux occurs when the
LES is not working properly. It may relax for periods of time throughout the day
and night, or it may be constantly too weak to function effectively. This allows
the stomach's acid juices to flow into the esophagus. How severe the disease
becomes depends on how weakened the LES is, and the amount and duration of acid
refluxed into the esophagus.
It is also common to find a hiatal hernia complicating GERD. With a hiatal
hernia, the upper part of the stomach actually pushes up into the chest through
a weakness in the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the thin, flat muscle that
separates the lungs from the abdomen. When part of the upper stomach is stuck
above the diaphragm, stomach acid is retained there for a longer period and is
more likely to reflux into the esophagus. 
Symptoms and Causes of GERD
Frequent heartburn is the most common symptom. However, patients may also
experience some of the following:
 | sour or bitter taste
| bitter stomach fluid coming into the mouth, especially during sleep
| hoarseness
| repeatedly feeling a need to clear the throat
| difficulty swallowing food or liquid
| wheezing or coughing at night
| worsening of symptoms after eating, or when bending over or lying down. |
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Certain diet and lifestyle choices can contribute to the condition. For
example, certain foods increase acid production, and fatty foods increase the
time food remains in the stomach. Chocolate, peppermint, coffee, alcoholic
beverages, and especially nicotine in cigarette smoke weaken or relax the LES.
Obesity places added pressure on the upper abdomen, and during pregnancy the LES
weakens for unknown reasons.
Complications
Complications occur when GERD is severe or long-standing. Constant irritation of
the esophagus by stomach acid can lead to inflammation, ulcers, and bleeding.
Anemia or low blood count may develop. Over time, scarring and narrowing of the
esophagus can also develop, making it difficult to swallow foods and liquids.
This narrowing is called a stricture. Some patients develop a condition called
Barrett's esophagus, which is a serious change in the cells lining the
esophagus. Barrett's esophagus may be a forerunner of esophageal cancer.
Diagnosis of GERD
The diagnosis can usually be suspected by the physician, simply by taking the
medical history. Beyond that, the physician may order an x-ray examination of
the esophagus and stomach. For this x-ray, the patient swallows a liquid
containing barium. This makes it possible to see the reflux and a hiatal hernia
on the x-ray. Endoscopy is the most important test for patients with GERD. It is
done with the patient under sedation. The physician examines the lining of the
esophagus and stomach with a thin, lighted, flexible tube called an endoscope.
This exam is helpful in determining how severe the disease is, how much tissue
damage there is, and if there are any complications. Certain conditions, such as
narrowing or stricture in the esophagus, can usually be corrected during this
procedure. During an endoscopy, the physician can also look for signs of
Barrett's esophagus, and perform a biopsy to see if precancerous changes have
occurred.
There are other tests that are helpful. A pressure recording of the esophagus
is called esophageal manometry. It measures the pressure in the LES and any
abnormal muscle contractions in the main part of the esophagus. Finally, a 12 to
24 hour recording of the acidity in the esophagus is often helpful. 
What is the treatment?
Treatment is aimed at reducing reflux and damage to the lining of the esophagus.
Initial treatment is with lifestyle changes. Patients with GERD should follow
these recommendations:
| Avoid eating anything within three hours before bedtime.
| Stop smoking. Nicotine in the blood weakens the LES.
| Avoid fatty foods, milk, chocolate, spearmint, peppermint, caffeine,
citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, pepper seasoning, and alcohol --
especially red wine.
| Decrease portions of food at mealtime, and avoid tight clothing or bending
over after eating.
| Review all medications with the physician. Certain drugs can weaken the
LES, allowing acid irritation of the esophagus.
| Elevate the head of the bed or mattress 6 to 8 inches. This helps to keep
acid in the stomach by gravity when sleeping. Extra pillows by themselves
are not very helpful.
| Lose weight if overweight. This may relieve upward pressure on the stomach
and LES. |
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Lifestyle changes are often all that is needed to correct mild forms of GERD.
When symptoms are bad or GERD is moderate to severe, the physician will
prescribe medications. Some that reduce stomach acid include Tagamet, Zantac,
Pepcid and Axid. Certain potent newer drugs, such as Prilosec and Prevacid, can
almost eliminate stomach acid entirely. These two drugs are most frequently used
when GERD is severe. Other medications, such as Reglan (generic: metoclopramide)
tighten the LES. These may be especially useful at night when reflux often
occurs.
A number of patients with GERD may need surgery to strengthen the LES. This
procedure is called fundoplication. Previously this surgery required a major
operation, often through the chest. It is a difficult operation for the patient,
with a long recovery. It is now usually done by laparoscopy. This is a new type
of minimally invasive surgery, performed with a tiny incision at the naval and a
few needle points in the upper abdomen. The patient usually returns home 1-2
days after surgery, with few problems. Surgery, however, should not be
considered until all other measures have been tried. Surgery is often seriously
considered for an otherwise healthy patient when the disease is severe, or the
patient does not want to face the expense or regimen of long-term treatment with
medications.
Summary
GERD is a common problem that requires medical attention when symptoms and
tissue damage become troublesome. Fortunately, there is a great deal that can
now be done about GERD. Lifestyle changes can help, and there are many
medications and even surgery to treat and correct GERD. Working together with
the physician, a good medical program can almost always be developed to
successfully treat the patient with GERD.
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