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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating its lining. Risk factors include obesity, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, and certain foods or medications. Symptoms include heartburn and chest pain. If left untreated, GERD can cause complications like esophageal stricture, ulcer, or Barrett's esophagus, which raises cancer risk. Treatment involves lifestyle changes, antacids, and prescription medications, and sometimes surgery to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

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Nicole Tupayachi Arce
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397 views9 pages

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating its lining. Risk factors include obesity, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, and certain foods or medications. Symptoms include heartburn and chest pain. If left untreated, GERD can cause complications like esophageal stricture, ulcer, or Barrett's esophagus, which raises cancer risk. Treatment involves lifestyle changes, antacids, and prescription medications, and sometimes surgery to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter muscle.

Uploaded by

Nicole Tupayachi Arce
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GERD

G ASTROESOP HAG EAL REFL UX DI SEASE )


OVERVIEW
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into
the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can
irritate the lining of your esophagus

How heartburn and


GERD occur
Acid reflux occurs when the
sphincter muscle at the lower
end of your esophagus
relaxes at the wrong time,
allowing stomach acid to back
up into your esophagus. This
can cause heartburn and
other signs and symptoms.
Frequent or constant reflux
can lead to GERD
DIAGNOSIS
• Your doctor might be able to diagnose GERD based on a physical examination and history of
your signs and symptoms.

• To confirm a diagnosis of GERD, or to check for complications, your doctor might recommend
Upper endoscopy
Ambulatory acid (pH) probe test
Esophageal manometry
X-ray of your upper digestive system
SYMPTOMS
• Common signs and symptoms of GERD include:
• A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at
night
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Regurgitation of food or sour liquid
• Sensation of a lump in your throat
RISK FACTORS
Conditions that can increase your risk of GERD include:
• Obesity
• Bulging of the top of the stomach up into the diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
• Pregnancy
• Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma
• Delayed stomach emptying
Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include:
• Smoking
• Eating large meals or eating late at night
• Eating certain foods (triggers) such as fatty or fried foods
• Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee
• Taking certain medications, such as aspirin
COMPLICATIONS
• Over time, chronic inflammation in your esophagus can cause:
• Narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture). Damage to the lower esophagus
from stomach acid causes scar tissue to form. The scar tissue narrows the food pathway,
leading to problems with swallowing.
• An open sore in the esophagus (esophageal ulcer). Stomach acid can wear away tissue
in the esophagus, causing an open sore to form. An esophageal ulcer can bleed, cause pain and
make swallowing difficult.
• Precancerous changes to the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus). Damage from acid can
cause changes in the tissue lining the lower esophagus. These changes are associated with an
increased risk of esophageal cancer.
TREATMENT
• Your doctor is likely to recommend that you first try lifestyle modifications and over-the-
counter medications. If you don't experience relief within a few weeks, your doctor might
recommend prescription medication or surgery.
• Antacids that neutralize stomach acid
• Medications to reduce acid production
• Medications that block acid production and heal the esophagus
SURGERY
• Fundoplication. The surgeon wraps the top of your stomach around the lower esophageal
sphincter, to tighten the muscle and prevent reflux
• LINX device. A ring of tiny magnetic beads is wrapped around the junction of the stomach
and esophagus. The magnetic attraction between the beads is strong enough to keep the
junction closed to refluxing acid, but weak enough to allow food to pass through
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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