Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD, Acid Reflux, Heartburn)
Medical Author:
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Medical Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
- GERD facts
- What is GERD (acid reflux)?
- What causes GERD?
- What are the symptoms of uncomplicated GERD?
- What are the complications of GERD?
- How is GERD diagnosed and evaluated?
- Symptoms and procedures to diagnose GERD
- GERD tests
- How is GERD treated?
- Lifestyle changes and GERD diet
- GERD medications
- GERD surgery
- What is a reasonable approach to the management of GERD?
- What are the unresolved issues in GERD?
- Pictures of Digestive Disease Myths - Slideshow
- Take the GERD Quiz
- Pictures of Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) - Slideshow
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) FAQs
- Patient Comments: GERD - Diet
- Patient Comments: GERD - Diagnosis
- Patient Comments: GERD - Proton Pump Inhibitors
- Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town
GERD facts
- GERD (acid reflux) is a condition in which the acidified liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus.
- The causes of GERD include an abnormal lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, abnormal esophageal contractions, and slow emptying of the stomach.
- GERD may damage the lining of the esophagus, thereby causing inflammation (esophagitis), although usually it does not.
- The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea.
- Complications of GERD include ulcers and strictures of the esophagus, Barrett's esophagus, cough and asthma, throat and laryngeal inflammation, inflammation and infection of the lungs, and collection of fluid in the sinuses and middle ear.
- Barrett's esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition that requires periodic endoscopic surveillance for the development of cancer.
- GERD may be diagnosed or evaluated by a trial of treatment, endoscopy, biopsy, X-ray, examination of the throat and larynx, 24 hour esophageal acid testing, esophageal motility testing, emptying studies of the stomach, and esophageal acid perfusion.
- GERD is treated with life-style changes, diet, antacids, histamine antagonists (H2 blockers), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), pro-motility drugs, foam barriers, surgery, and endoscopy.
Patient Comments
Viewers share their comments
GERD - Diet
Question: What diet and lifestyle changes have you made to improve your GERD and heartburn?
GERD - Causes
Question: Do you know what caused your GERD? Please discuss your experience with GERD.
- •
- Submit »
GERD - Complications
Question: Did you experience any complications with your GERD? What were they?
- •
- Submit »
GERD - Diagnosis
Question: How did your doctors arrive at a diagnosis of GERD?
GERD - Treatment
Question: What types of treatment or medication have you receive for GERD? What's worked and what hasn't?
- •
- Submit »
GERD - Proton Pump Inhibitors
Question: If your GERD symptoms were not relieved by treatment with proton pump inhibitors, did you find other effective treatments?
http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/article.htm
GI Disorders
Get the latest treatment options.
Updated & New
