GERD Reflux Disease Treatment Specialist Q&A

The condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects the muscles between your stomach and esophagus. In medical terms, this ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). You may experience heartburn or acid indigestion if you have it.

“Gastroesophageal” refers to the stomach and esophagus.

Your LES opens to allow food into your stomach during normal digestion. As soon as it closes, food and acidic stomach juices are prevented from flowing back into your esophagus. If the LES is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t, gastroesophageal reflux occurs. As a result, stomach contents flow up into the esophagus.

There are more than 60 million Americans who suffer from heartburn at least once a month, and more than 15 million who suffer from it every day, including many pregnant women. Researchers have found that GERD in infants and children is more common than doctors thought. It can cause recurrent vomiting. Other symptoms include coughing and difficulty breathing.

LES weakness may lead to gastroesophageal reflux when you have a hiatal hernia, according to some doctors. Diaphragmatic hiatus occurs when the upper part of the stomach moves up into the chest through a small opening in the diaphragm. An abdominal diaphragm separates the chest from the abdomen. There is evidence that the opening in the diaphragm supports the lower part of the esophagus.

There are many people who do not experience heartburn or reflux after having a hiatal hernia. However, a hiatal hernia may make it easier for stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus.

When you cough, vomit, strain, or exert yourself suddenly, you can cause a hiatal hernia. A small one is common in people over 50 who are otherwise healthy. Although hiatal hernias are usually associated with middle age, they can affect anyone.

Heartburn is a sign of having GERD. There is usually a burning chest pain that you feel behind the breastbone and which moves upward to the throat and your neck. There is typically a feeling of food coming back into your mouth. This can result in an acidic or bitter taste in the mouth.

There can be a burning sensation, pressure, or pain associated with heartburn for as long as two hours. After eating, it’s often worse. Heartburn may also be caused by lying down or when bending over. Standing upright and taking an antacid that clears acid out of the esophagus may in fact help many patients feel better.

Other symptoms include bad breath, nausea, trouble breathing, a lump in the throat, a hard time swallowing, and vomiting.

The goal of GERD treatment is this: to actually reduce reflux or mitigate damage to the lining of the esophagus caused by refluxed materials. To treat your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter or prescription medications. In order to reduce your symptoms of GERD, doctors suggest you make several lifestyle changes.

Tests may be necessary if you have severe, lasting esophageal reflux or if your symptoms don’t improve despite treatment. GERD surgery may be required if you require regular high doses of PPIs to control your symptoms, have damage to your esophagus even with medication, and have a hiatal hernia. In serious cases surgery may be necessary as GERD can lead to serious complications.

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