Advanced Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease is a disorder which affects the stomach and esophagus. Also called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), acid reflux is common and, according to AboutGerd.org, affects between 5 percent to 7 percent of the population. Acid reflux can affect men, women and children. It is distinct from and more severe than heartburn, which can occur weekly in up to 19.8 percent of people. Treatments range from lifestyle modification to drug therapy, and the problem is generally chronic and requires lasting treatment or lifestyle change.

GERD

• Acid reflux or GERD specifically refers to a condition in which the stomach contents and acids flow backward in the stomach and pass up into the esophagus. The stomach naturally produces acids as a part of the digestive process, and the esophagus normally copes with a small amount of these acids entering through the esophageal sphincter and passing through. However, in patients afflicted with GERD, an excess amount of acid passes through the esophageal sphincter into the esophagus. The esophagus is unable to cope with the gastric acid contents, so the patient may experience heartburn or burning pain as these acids pass through the esophagus. There is no one single cause of acid reflux, and it is often misdiagnosed or goes untreated.

Causes

• Certain conditions or foods may lead to an increase in acid passing through the esophagus, causing acid reflux disease. Conditions that can lead to acid reflux include pregnancy and obesity. Specific foods that can aggravate acid reflux include fatty meals, tomato sauces, chocolate, mints, coffee, alcohol or carbonated beverages. Lying down after a meal and/or taking certain blood pressures or medications can also aggravate acid reflux disease.

Symptoms

• Chronic heartburn, which occurs more frequently than once a week, wakes you at night or persists for five years or more, can be a symptom of acid reflux disease or GERD. Regurgitation of acid is another symptom. Occasionally, unusual symptoms will be present, including asthma, laryngitis or unexplained coughing. Sometimes, acid reflux is asymptomatic and is only diagnosed due to other complications from the acid reflux disease, including cellular changes to the esophagus or even pre-cancerous cell abnormalities called Barrett's esophagus.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is typically based on a discussion of your symptoms with your doctor. If heartburn is frequent or not resolved by over-the-counter acid blockers, GERD is a possible diagnosis. Doctors may perform X-rays, CT scans or additional tests to determine if cell changes are occurring or have occurred in the esophagus.

Treatment

• Acid-blocking medications can be used to treat GERD as can lifestyle modifications, including alterations to diet. Because GERD is a persistent and chronic problem, these lifestyle modifications need to be permanent to prevent the return of acid reflux disease.