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Gastroesophageal reflux disease

gastric reflux disease, acid reflux disease, reflux

X-ray showing radiocontrast agent injected into the stomach entering

the esophagus due to severe reflux

Classification and external resources

Pronunciation

/gstrosfdil/ /riflks/[1][2][3]

Specialty

Gastroenterology

ICD-10

K21

ICD-9-CM

530.81

OMIM

109350

DiseasesDB

23596

MedlinePlus

000265

eMedicine

med/857 ped/1177radio/300

MeSH

D005764

[edit on Wikidata]

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
and acid reflux, is a chronic condition of mucosal damage caused by stomach acid coming up from
the stomach into the esophagus.[4] Occasional reflux causes heartburn, but chronic reflux leads to
reflux esophagitis, GERD, and sometimes Barrett's esophagus.
GERD is usually caused by changes in the junction between the stomach and the esophagus, including
abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which normally holds the top of the stomach closed,
impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus, or a hiatal hernia. These changes may be permanent
or temporary.
Treatment is typically via lifestyle changes and medications such as proton pump inhibitors, H2 receptor
blockers or antacids with or without alginic acid.[5]Surgery may be an option in those who do not improve. In the
Western world between 10 and 20% of the population is affected. [5]
Contents
[hide]

1Signs and symptoms

1.1Adults

1.2Children

1.3Barrett's esophagus

2Causes

3Diagnosis

3.1Endoscopy

3.2Severity

3.3Differential diagnosis

4Treatment

4.1Lifestyle

4.2Medications

4.3Surgery

4.4Pregnancy

4.5Infants

4.6Overtreatment

5Epidemiology

6History

7Research

8References

9Further reading

10External links

Signs and symptoms