Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment. Overview. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that occurs when acidic stomach juices, or food and fluids back up from the stomach into the esophagus. GERD affects people of all ages—from infants to older adults. People with asthma are at higher risk of developing GERD. Asthma flare- ups can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach contents to flow back, or reflux, into the esophagus. Some asthma medications (especially theophylline) may worsen reflux symptoms. On the other hand, acid reflux can make asthma symptoms worse by irritating the airways and lungs. This, in turn, can lead to progressively more serious asthma. Also, this irritation can trigger allergic reactions and make the airways more sensitive to environmental conditions such as smoke or cold air. Symptoms & Diagnosis. Symptoms. Everyone has experienced gastroesophageal reflux. It happens when you burp, have an acid taste in your mouth or have heartburn. However, if these symptoms interfere with your daily life it is time to see your physician. Other symptoms that occur less frequently but can indicate that you could have GERD are. Over- the- counter antacids and H2 blockers may help decrease the effects of stomach acid. Proton pump inhibitors block acid production and also may be effective. In severe and medication intolerant cases, surgery may be recommended. Non- CME Recordings »Keep pace with the latest information and connect with others. Join us on Facebook and Twitter. Both doctors and the media agree a Medslant wedge pillow is the best way to relieve the symptoms of Acid Reflux or Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease (GERD) and. Gastroesophageal reflux disease doesn't just affect old people who eat too much while watching TV. Active, healthy teens can have GERD too. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)How Is GERD Treated? Treatment for GERD depends on how severe symptoms are. For some people, treatment may just include lifestyle changes, such as changing what they eat or drink. Others will need to take medicines. In very rare cases, when GERD is particularly severe, a doctor will recommend surgery. The following lifestyle changes can help ease the symptoms of GERD or even prevent the condition: quitting smokingavoiding alcohollosing weight if you are overweighteating small mealswearing loose- fitting clothesavoiding carbonated beveragesavoiding foods that trigger reflux. It also can help to not lie down for 3 hours after a meal and to not eat 2 to 3 hours before going to bed. Doctors sometimes also recommend raising the head of the bed about 6 to 8 inches. Before you start a major bedroom makeover, though, talk to your doctor and your parents about the best sleeping position for you. A doctor may also recommend different medications to relieve symptoms. Over- the- counter antacids, such as Alka- Seltzer or Maalox, work by neutralizing stomach acid and can help with mild symptoms. Other medicines called H2 blockers are available over the counter and by prescription and help by blocking the production of stomach acid. If your doctor thinks you should take these, he or she will recommend certain over- the- counter medications or write you a prescription. More powerful prescription drugs called proton pump inhibitors also reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces. Some of these are also available over- the- counter. Doctors also prescribe these for people with more severe or persistent GERD. Medications that belong to a class called prokinetics also can be used to help reduce the frequency of reflux by strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter muscle and also helping the stomach empty faster. For some teens, doctors advise combining medicines to control different symptoms. For example, people who get heartburn after eating can try taking both antacids and H2 blockers. The antacid goes to work first to neutralize the acid in the stomach, while the H2 blocker acts on acid production. By the time the antacid stops working, the H2 blocker will have stopped acid production. Surgery is a last resort for people with GERD and is rarely needed in healthy teens. The typical surgical treatment for GERD is called fundoplication (pronounced: fun- doh- plih- KAY- shun). During the surgery, the upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter to strengthen the sphincter and prevent reflux. Fundoplication has been used in people of all ages, even babies with severe GERD. WebMD explains gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease. GERD occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, stomach content, flows back into your food pipe. Treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease is aimed at: Reducing backflow, or reflux, of stomach acid and juices into the esophagus. Preventing damage to the. Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Synonyms: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastric reflux disease, acid reflux disease, reflux, gastroesophageal reflux.
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