YOUR GUIDE

TO GERD
When heartburn
becomes an unwelcome
occurrence in your life,
it may be a condition
called gastroesophageal
reflux disease, or GERD.
About 40 percent of the adult population
experiences heartburn at least once per
month, no matter how severe. Heartburn
is a burning discomfort or pain felt in the
chest as the result of acid coming up from
the stomach.

While occasional heartburn is no cause for

concern, when it occurs more frequently, it
could be gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD). This more severe, chronic form
of heartburn can lead to more serious
conditions, such as ulcers, internal bleeding
– even cancer.
Heartburn, Acid Reflux & GERD...
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

ACID REFLUX
Acid reflux occurs when the circular muscle that lies LOWER ESOPHAGEAL
SPHINCTER (LES)
between the esophagus and stomach, called the lower
esophageal sphincter (LES), doesn’t close properly.
Stomach acid travels up into the esophagus. Because
the lining of the esophagus is more delicate than the
stomach’s lining, when the acid touches the esophagus, it
causes a burning sensation. This sensation is heartburn.

HEARTBURN
Heartburn does not involve the heart but is felt in the
chest near the heart, in the esophagus. Heartburn can
sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack, depending
on the duration and severity of pain. Mild heartburn can
be treated with antacids and other over-the-counter
medicine. But if you are taking these more than several
days per week, you could have GERD.

GERD
GERD is chronic acid reflux, occurring more than
twice per week and cannot be relieved with over-the-
counter medication. Another indicator is swelling of the
esophagus, which can be painful.
Symptoms & When
to See a Doctor

Besides the telltale symptoms of heartburn,

other common GERD symptoms include:

• Frequent belching
• Vomiting
• Sudden bouts of saliva filling the mouth
• Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing
• Chronic sore throat
• Bad breath
• Laryngitis
• Gum inflammation

When acid reflux is occurring multiple

times per week and symptoms are
not relieved by over-the-counter
medications and lifestyle changes such
as smoking cessation, weight loss and
diet, it’s time to seek medical attention.
DID YOU KNOW?
Certain foods and drinks trigger
GERD. Fried, fatty foods, citrus fruits,
chocolate, coffee, carbonated drinks
and alcohol can all be problematic.

Diagnosis Tests
ESOPHAGRAM
This requires a patient to swallow barium,
which coats the upper GI tract. This allows the
radiologist to view and assess the function of
the esophagus and determine whether there’s
a narrowing of the esophagus or if the patient
has a hiatal hernia.
UPPER ENDOSCOPY
An endoscope is passed through the mouth
into the esophagus, stomach and small
intestine, enabling the physician to check for
ulcers or other damage, and obtain biopsies
to check for Barrett’s esophagus. This is a
common examination for GERD patients.
ESOPHAGEAL MANOMETRY
The throat and nose are numbed prior to this
procedure. A small-diameter tube is passed
through the nose into the esophagus and
the patient is asked to swallow. The muscle
contractions while swallowing are measured
during the test to detect whether the issue
lies in the motility of the esophagus or the
lower esophageal sphincter. This test alone
does not diagnose GERD, but helps doctors
understand if the patient’s esophageal motility
is contributing to the patient’s symptoms.
ESOPHAGEAL pH TEST
A small capsule is placed into the esophagus
using a delivery device approximately the
size of a gelcap. This temporarily attaches to
the wall of the esophagus. The capsule takes
moments to place. There are no tubes or wires
remaining after placement of the capsule. The
capsule will measure acidic exposure in the
esophagus. The test period will last 48 hours.
The patient can eat and follow their regular,
daily routine during this time.
Treatment
Doctors can prescribe medication that works to decrease the amount of acid in
the stomach. Sucralfate coats the surface of the esophagus and stomach with a
protective film, and metoclopramide helps the esophagus contract and empties
the stomach.

Managing GERD
GERD is a manageable condition, so take
these steps to control your health:

• Eat smaller meals

• Avoid tight clothing around your waist

• Get up and move around after meals

• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke

• Avoid the foods and beverages that

trigger GERD

• Avoid lying down after meals, as lying

flat pushes food and acid back up

• Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before sleeping

• Maintain a healthy weight

DID YOU KNOW?

Anyone can develop GERD, no matter
what age. Currently, about 20% of
the population has GERD.
Complications,
Cancer & Other
Concerns
As a result of GERD, scar tissue
can form, causing the esophagus
to narrow. This makes swallowing
painful and difficult.
Acid from the stomach can, in some cases, enter
the lungs and cause damage, including chest
congestion and wheezing. This increases the
risk of pneumonia or asthma. Certain acid reflux
treatments can reduce asthma and the need for
asthma medications.

Esophagitis, or long-term inflammation of the

esophagus, increases the risk of precancerous
cells in the esophagus.

GERD patients typically experience chest pain,

which can be similar to angina or heart pain.
While GERD patients’ chest pain is typically
accompanied by heartburn and acid regurgitation,
it is important to have your doctor evaluate your
heart to rule out cardiac conditions.

GERD patients are at a higher risk of developing

esophageal cancer. An estimated 10-15 percent
experience a change in their esophageal lining, or
Barrett’s esophagus. Doctors believe that most
cases of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus begin
with Barrett’s.
It is possible to live a happy,
healthy life while living with GERD.
Effective, timely treatment, lifestyle modifications and regular
follow-ups with your physician can help you live symptom-free.

As with any condition, never wait to seek treatment. The sooner a

doctor can diagnose and treat a condition, the better your chances
of a successful recovery.

Fisher-Titus Medical Center is now home to The Heartburn Center

and offers relief and treatment to patients living with this condition.