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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: gastroesophageal reflux + gerd + reflux  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Asthma, Acid Reflux: What's the Connection? FOXNews - By Jessica Ryen Doyle When Debra Peterson tells her patients their worsening asthma symptoms may be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, ... Researchers find differences in swallowing mechanism of Rett ... EurekAlert (press release), DC - Rett syndrome affects one in every 10000 to 20000 live female births and is associated most closely with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ... Diagnosing, Treating Acid Reflux FOXNews - Aug 1, 2008 By Jessica Ryen Doyle But for the millions of Americans who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, that saying is of little comfort. ... May Be Acid-Reflux Disease Wall Street Journal - Jul 21, 2008 Finally a pediatric gastroenterologist diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and put Olivia on Pepcid. "In two days, she was a completely ... Uncovering the link between lungs and reflux disease Boston Globe, United States - Jul 28, 2008 Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, for example, is probably one of the most common ailments affecting Americans. While its true incidence is not ... Acid Reflux in Children - Is it Overdiagnosed? HealthCentral.com, VA - Aug 2, 2008 ... Tummy Ache Awareness Day to help parents learn the difference between regular tummy aches (and spitting up) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). ... How does it affect your risk of esophageal cancer? Food Consumer, IL - Aug 2, 2008 If you get heartburn twice a week or more, you may have GERD ? gastroesophageal reflux disease ? and should see a doctor. Long-term, frequent reflux of ... Endoscopic Circumferential Ablation Promising For Barrett's ... Medical News Today (press release) all 2 news articles » Oneindia How Gastric Reflux Triggers Oneindia, India - Jul 24, 2008 Researchers at Duke University Medical Center claim to have identified how GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, drives the development of asthma. ... Link Found Between Asthma and GERD WebMD - Jul 25, 2008 Researchers say rising rates of reflux and GERD may be driving increasing rates of asthma, but many of the risk factors behind this phenomenon may be ... People With GERD More Likely to Develop Asthma Washington Post all 10 news articles » Diagnosing non-acid reflux abc7.com, CA - Jul 31, 2008 It's the most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is often treated successfully with over-the-counter or prescription medications ...

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects three to five percent of people in the United States. GERD is an injury to the lining of the esophagus or symptoms caused by too much stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. In most cases, it occurs because a muscle between the stomach and esophagus fails to contract when it should, allowing gastric acid to move back into the esophagus. Severe GERD occurs when that muscle is weak.

Symptoms of GERD include:

• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Belching up a sour substance
• Nausea, particularly in the morning
• Globus, the sensation of something in the throat

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• Chest pain that feels like a heart attack. Patients with GERD and this type of chest pain should be checked for possible heart disease.
  
• Blood in the stool is a warning that there is a significant problem requiring a doctor's care
  
• Dysphagia, or difficulty in swallowing, suggests that the esophagus is blocked by a scar or growth. This symptom requires immediate attention by the physician.
• Asthma can be caused or made worse by gastroesophageal reflux
  
• Persistent cough or throat clearing
• Sore throat or hoarseness
• Dental problems

Risk factors for GERD include:

• Certain drugs, like nitrates or calcium channel blockers
• Diabetes
• Scleroderma
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Tobacco use
• Use of alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, chocolate, fatty foods and overly large meals
  

Untreated, GERD can also lead to more serious conditions like esophageal ulcer and/or stricture, Barrett's esophagus or esophageal cancer.

Detecting GERD early can prevent major complications. To ensure an accurate identification of GERD, doctors use the following procedures:

• Upper GI endoscopy can identify an inflammed esophagus caused by GERD and complications. Biopsies can be done to see if there is inflammation.
  
• pH testing can determine if too much stomach acid is moving backwards into the esophagus
  

GERD can be managed effectively with lifestyle modifications and medical treatment.

Lifestyle modifications:

• Elevation of the head of the bed four to six inches
• Avoiding alcohol, chocolate and caffeine
• Avoiding overeating
• Eating or drinking nothing two to three hours before bed
• Avoiding greasy, fatty foods
• Losing weight
• Antacids to neutralize excess stomach acid

Medical treatments:

• Medications that reduce acid production by the stomach, such as histamine 2 receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors
  
• Endoscopic suturing. This is a minimally invasive way to create a barrier in the stomach to reduce reflux in patients with mild to moderate GERD. It cannot be done if the patient has a large hiatal hernia.
  
• Surgery to tighten the area where the stomach and esophagus meet. The most commonly done surgery is called the Nissen fundoplication. This surgery decreases the amount of gastroesophageal reflux. It can now be done as a minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopy.

These treatments may be used alone or in any combination, depending on the patient's specific needs.