GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ( GERD) is a common disorder which causes the symptoms commonly referred to as Heartburn. Nearly 60 million Americans suffer from these symptoms each month. Symptoms may include pain, pressure, or a fullness in the chest. Some patients may feel a lump in the throat or an acid taste in the mouth. These symptoms are the result of acid, food and gas escaping from the stomach and migrating up into the esophagus ( food tube). Symptoms can last for many hours and are usually made worse by lying down or bending over. Unlike the stomach, the lining of the esophagus has little protection against acid. When acid gets into the esophagus it burns the lining and causes some of the symptoms described above.

There is a muscle at the lower end of the esophagus called the LES ( lower esophageal sphincter). In a healthy person, this muscle is supposed to tighten to close off the esophagus and keep stomach contents from coming back up.

As we get older this muscle weakens in many people. Certain eating habits and foods can exacerbate this situation, and allow food to reflux up if the muscle is already weakened.

The substances listed below will weaken the LES and allow more stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus. These substances should be avoided to minimize GERD symptoms

Anything that causes stomach distension will allow more stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus. acidic substances are also more irritating when they reflux into the esophagus. These things should obviously be avoided to help alleviate GERD symptoms.

Treatment of GERD involves modification of the behavioral and dietary factors listed above. When this alone doesn't control the symptoms medication may be necessary. Medications fall into three basic categories.

Medications for GERD

Antacids - These are over the counter remedies available in any drug store. They work by neutralizing stomach acids. Antacids come in two forms - Calcium products like Tums which are solid, and Magnesium based products like Maalox and Mylanta which can be liquid or solid. Liquid antacids generally work better for GERD symptoms.
H2 Blockers - There are many products that fit into this category including Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid, and Axid. These are not antacids. Instead, they bind to a receptor called the H2 receptor. By binding to this receptor they decrease the amount of acid the stomach secretes. These medicines are also available over the counter like antacids and are less expensive then the next category of medications but may not be as effective in everyone.
Proton Pump Inhibitors - These are the newest and most potent inhibitor of acid secretion in the stomach. They inhibit the acid (or proton) pumps in the stomach by a different and more efficient method than the H2 blockers. These medicines are some of the most effective but also the most expensive medications for treating GERD. Prilosec, Prevacid, Aciphex, Nexium and Protonix are members of this class of medication. All proton pump inhibitors require a prescription with the exception of Prilosec.

In rare cases when the above measures do not work, surgery may be necessary. This should only be done when all other efforts have failed.