ABSTRACT – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Acid Reflux is a chronic digestive disorder where there is a defect...
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Acid Reflux is a chronic digestive disorder where there is a defect in LES (Lower esophageal sphincter) which results in stomach acid flowing back into the esophageal tube causing an irritation in the esophageal tube lining.
CAUSES –
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is caused by recurring acid reflux due to which there is an inflammation in the esophagus. Gradually, the inflammation can tear off the lining of esophagus and cause complications like:
Esophageal strictures
Bleeding
Barrett’s esophagus
Esophageal adenocarcinoma
The other factors causing GERD are:
Obesity
Hypercalcemia
Hiatal hernia
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Visceroptosis
Scleroderma and systemic sclerosis
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –
The symptoms may vary from adult to child.
In adults:
Heart burn after eating which worsens in night
Chest pain
Regurgitation
Acidic taste in mouth
Difficulty in swallowing due to sore throat
Ptyalism
Nausea and coughing
Laryngitis in case of night time acid reflux
In children:
Repeated vomiting and burping
Regurgitation and coughing
Wheezing and bad breath
Inconsolable crying
Crying for food and then pulling off the bottle or breast only to cry for it again
Failure to gain adequate weight
DIAGNOSIS –
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Esophageal pH monitoring
Endoscopy for checking presence of Dysplasia or Barrett’s syndrome
TREATMENT –
Medications:
Proton-pump inhibitors
Antacids
Lifestyle changes
Surgery
Esophagogastric dissociation:Surgery used to treat neurologically impaired children suffering from GERD.
RISK FACTORS –
Obesity
Pregnancy
Hiatal hernia
Delayed stomach emptying
Scleroderma
Factors that aggravate this condition are:
Smoking
Medications like Aspirin
Excessive eating or eating late at night
Eating fatty food or drinking beverages like alcohol or coffee
EPIDEMIOLOGY –
GERD is prevalent in 8% to 19% of Indian population.
There is no gender predominance related to GERD.
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