GERD or Acid Reflux Disease:

1
GERD orAcid Reflux Disease

• Not Just Another Stomach Ache

Courtney Currie
2
Outline

• Cures and Medicines for GERD
• Testing
• What you should do...
• Summary
• Citations

• Random facts about GERD
• Definition of GERD
• Symptoms of GERD
• People with GERD
• Causes of GERD

3
Just heartburn?

• Most people at some time experience
  Gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn.
• While...
• People who have GERD suffer from heartburn on a
  regular basis.

4
Something you didnt know...

• GERD mostly deals with your esophagus, not your
  stomach.

• The acid from your stomach is very dangerous to
  the enamel in your teeth and you lungs

• There is no cure, only drugs to suppress the
  disease.

5
What is GERD?
GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
and is also known as Acid Reflux Disease. Acid
Reflux is the backflow of acid from the stomach
into the esophagus. The usual symptom is
heartburn, an uncomfortable burning sensation
behind the breastbone, most commonly occurring
after a meal.
6
Four Major Symptoms

• Heartburn (uncomfortable, rising, burning
  sensation behind the breastbone).
• Regurgitation of gastric acid or sour contents
  into the mouth.
• Difficult and/or painful swallowing.
• Chest pain.

7
Other Symptoms

• Although heartburn is the most common symptom of
  GERD, some patients may experience symptoms, such
  as
• regurgitation of gastric contents into the mouth
• chest pain
• difficulty swallowing
• asthma
• coughing
• intermittent wheezing
• vocal cord inflammation with hoarseness

8
How many people are afflicted with GERD? Recent
statistics from the US Department of Health and
Human Services indicate that about 7,000,000
people in the US alone suffer from GERD. Most
people affected are not aware that the daily
heartburn they suffer is a disease that can be
treated with medicine.
9
Testing 1, 2, 3
There are a few different tests that can be done
to detect GERD, although all are not always
successful. Even when there are no signs of GERD,
a patient may still have the disease. Diagnosis
is usually based on reoccurring symptoms.
10
Endoscopy
During an endoscopy, a thin, flexible tube is
swallowed by the patient to allow the physician
to directly inspect the lining of the upper
gastrointestinal tract. Biopsies can also be
taken.
Upper GI Series
An Upper GI Series is a series of tests done in
one trip to the hospital. The patient drinks a
liquid called barium that shows up in X-Rays so
that the doctors can locate ulcers or the
resistance of the barium to move through the
esophagus of the patient.
11
What should people with GERD avoid? Lying
down after a meal Wearing tight-fitting
clothing Bending over Foods that
upset the stomach (Patients should keep a diary
of what they eat to keep track of what upsets
their stomach. No two are alike.)
12
What are the causes of GERD?
Although there is no proof, many believe that
GERD runs in the family. The PAGER Association
has quite a study underway that hopefully will
lead to a cure. The PAGER Association is working
with Allegheny General Hospital, Center for
Genomic Sciences in Pittsburgh on the first every
study to find the gene for reflux.
13
Cures?
Unfortunately, GERD, in general, cannot be cured
at present. Sometimes GERD is triggered by
pregnancy. In such cases, GERD will go away on
its own when the pregnancy has ended. In most
cases GERD is a chronic condition. With many
different medications and lifestyle
modifications, GERD can be controlled. In severe
cases, surgery is an option, it does not cure the
underlying problem, but wraps part of the stomach
around the lower end of the esophagus to help
keep acid from getting back up into the
esophagus.
14
If you think you have GERD... See your doctor
immediately. Your doctor can make a diagnosis
and work with you to get you symptom-free.
Gastroenterologists and some gastrointestinal
surgeons are usually very familiar with GERD and
its treatment.
15
Summary Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is not
the same as heartburn, and it can cause many
health issues for people who have it. There are
symptoms that are the same as common heartburn,
but they are reoccurring. While there is no proof
that it is hereditary, many doctors believe that
it is. Preventing symptoms is usually done by
taking medicine and improving diet. Anyone who
might have GERD should see their doctor.
16
Citations
GERD Main Menu. www.gastrotherapy.com. GERD
Information ResourceCenter, sponsored by
AstraZeneca LP. ... An Introduction to GERD. ...
Description Pharmaceutical company sponsored
site with information for suffers of chronic
indigestion, or GERD Category Health gt
Conditions and Diseases gt ... gt Esophagus gt
Reflux Diseasewww.gerd.com/ About GERDAbout
GERD ... Description Information from the
nonprofit IFFGD about characteristics and
treatment of GERD.Category Health gt Conditions
and Diseases gt ... gt Esophagus gt Reflux
Diseasewww.aboutgerd.org/ - 12k - Jan. 21, 2003
- \ Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ( GERD )
and Heart BurnAcid Reflux and Heartburn. About
the author. Dr. Minocha (http//www.diagnosishealt
h.com/minocha.htm)Description Information and
discussion about causes, diagnosis and treatment
of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease...Category
Health gt Conditions and Diseases gt ... gt
Esophagus gt Reflux Diseasewww.diagnosishealth.com
/gerd.htm - 35k -