McGinn 1

Kyle McGinn

Professor Robinson

Technical Writing: 20100

19 June 2019

GERD vs. Gastritis

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastritis are both disorders of the

“gastrointestinal (GI) tract.” The medical field classifies them as two separate diseases due to

differences in many areas including “risk factors,” “treatment options,” and “clinical

manifestations” (Huether and McCance).

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, GERD is defined as “chronic

symptoms of mucosal damage produced by abnormal reflux (or backflow) of gastric contents

into the esophagus.”

According to Chait, “GERD is a condition that develops when reflux of gastric contents

causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications.” While GERD is the backflow of the

stomach leading to “esophagitis,” “gastritis is an inflammatory disorder of the gastric mucosa” or

stomach lining (Huether and McCance).

In the United States GERD has a prevalence rate of about 18.1 percent to 27.8 percent,

and is common among all age groups, especially the elderly. GERD accounts for nearly four

percent of all office visits in primary care practice. (Chen and Brady 20).

Studies have revealed that the “incidence of GERD increases” as the prevalence of

“Helicobacter pylori” (H. pylori) infection decreases (Bohmer and Schumacher 2).
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Other risk factors include “60-69 year age-range” and “obesity” (Bohmer and

Schumacher 2). Acid reflux symptoms associated with GERD can be “triggered by lifestyle

factors,” such as “overeating,” “heavy lifting,” and “consuming acidic foods” or “a high-fat

diet.” (Chen and Brady 22).

Gastritis has an occurrence of “less than 1%” in the U.S and is subdivided as either acute

or chronic. Acute gastritis is commonly “caused by injury to the protective” barrier of the

stomach lining “caused by drugs, chemicals,” or H. pylori infection. “Injurious drugs” include

“nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs” (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.

These cause gastritis by inhibiting “prostaglandin synthesis,” which forms compounds in the

human body that “stimulate the secretion of mucus” (Huether and McCance).

GERD and gastritis also have different treatment options.

“Lifestyle modifications” are the recommended “first-line therapy” for all patients with

GERD. These include avoiding “alcohol, tobacco,” and “acidic foods” (Chen and Brady 23).
For acute gastritis, healing “occurs spontaneously within a few days.” Treatment consists

of “using antacids” and “discontinuing usage of injurious drugs” (Huether and McCance).

Chronic gastritis symptoms, according to Huether and McCance, “can usually be managed by

eating smaller meals in conjunction with a soft, bland diet and by avoiding alcohol and aspirin.”

Finally, GERD and gastritis both “present” with unique “clinical manifestations”

(Huether and McCance).

Typical symptoms include regurgitation and heartburn – a “retrosternal burning

sensation” in the neck and throat – which occurs “30-60 minutes after eating.” Also typical is

“acid regurgitation,” which is backflow of “gastric content into the oral cavity” or a feeling of

“fluid moving up and down in the chest.” Atypical symptoms include “dysphagia” – difficulty

swallowing – and “chronic coughs.” (Chen and Brady 22).

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According to Huether and McCance, “signs and symptoms of chronic gastritis often

include vague symptoms: anorexia, fullness, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. Gastric

bleeding may be the only clinical manifestation of gastritis.”

Works Cited
Böhmer, A. C., and Schumacher, J. “Insights into the Genetics of Gastroesophageal

Reflux Disease (GERD) and GERD-Related Disorders.” Neurogastroenterology

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and Motility, vol. 29:e13017, Jan. 2017, pp. 1-5. doi-

org.ezproxy.ttuhsc.edu/10.1111/nmo.13017

Chen, Jingtao, and Brady, Patrick. “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Pathophysiology,

Diagnosis, and Treatment.” Gastroenterology Nursing, vol. 42, no. 1, Jan/Feb

2019, pp. 20-28. doi:10.1097/SGA.0000000000000359

Chait, Maxwell. “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Important Considerations for the

Older Patient.” World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, vol. 2, no. 12, Dec

2010, pp. 388-396. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v2.i12.388

Huether, Sue E., and Kathryn L. McCance. Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed).

Elsevier Inc, 2017