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Welcome To The
Highland GERD
Institute
Information on GERD and Acid Reflux
Patients looking for medical information about
GERD can find out about signs and symptoms, self
help (dietary advice, life style modifications,
over-the-counter medications), treatment options,
endoscopic and surgical treatments, GERD during
pregnancy, GERD in elderly, GERD in infants and
children, etc. by choosing one of the links to the
left.
Treatment for GERD
Surgery is an alternative that is generally
applied when long-term medical treatment is either
ineffective or undesirable, or when certain
complications of GERD are present. When
considering surgery as a treatment for GERD a
thorough review of all aspects of the procedure
with a gastroenterologist (a physician who
specializes in these disorders) and a surgeon is
advised.
Side-effects or complications associated with the
surgery occur in 5-20% of patients. The most
common are difficulty swallowing or impairment of
the ability to belch or vomit. Side-effects are
usually temporary, but they sometimes persist.
Anti-reflux surgery can breakdown, similar to
hernia repairs in other parts of the body. The
recurrence rate is not well defined but may be in
the range of 10-30% over 20 years. A number of
factors can contribute to this breakdown. In some
individuals, even after surgery, reflux symptoms
may persist and the use of medication may need to
continue.
Helpful hints for avoiding Gerd
/ Reflux
GERD
stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Gastroesophageal reflux describes a backflow of
acid from the stomach into the swallowing tube or
esophagus. This acid can irritate and sometimes
damage the delicate lining on the inside of the
esophagus. Almost everyone experiences
gastroesophageal reflux at some time. The usual
symptom is heartburn, an uncomfortable burning
sensation behind the breastbone, most commonly
occurring after a meal. In some individuals this
reflux is frequent or severe enough to cause more
significant problems, that is a disease. Thus,
gastroesophageal reflux disease is a clinical
condition that occurs when reflux of stomach acid
into the esophagus is severe enough to impact the
patient’s life and/or damage the esophagus.
The difference between heartburn
and a heart attack
Symptoms associated with the digestive condition
called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or
reflux, can mimic the pain of heart attack or
angina - which is chest pain caused by diminished
blood flow through the coronary arteries -
especially when the sensation is constricting
rather than burning in nature.
But it can be dangerous to assume that any chest
pain is caused by acid reflux. Even people with
known reflux disease should always seek medical
attention if they experience chest discomfort
brought on by exercise, which may signal either
angina or a heart attack.
The main thing to determine is the severity and
length of your chest pain. If the sensation is a
severe, pressing, or squeezing discomfort, it may
be a heart attack. Also, heart attack pain lasts a
while. If the pain goes away in 5-10 minutes, it's
probably not a heart attack. It could be angina,
however, which does require a visit to the doctor
- and treatment. So it's important not to dismiss
chest tightness, especially if it follows physical
exertion.
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GERD symptoms shown to
intensify during pregnancy |
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Endoscopic Treatments
The effectiveness and side effects or risks
associated with medical and surgical therapy for
GERD have been well studied. Newer endoscopic
treatments are not yet as well studied.
Some individuals who are helped by pharmacologic
(drug) therapy, but who require long-term therapy,
would prefer a non-surgical, non-pharmacologic
option for treatment of their symptoms. This has
led to research and development of newer
endoscopic procedures designed to treat GERD.
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Foods That Cause Heartburn
Alcohol can irritate the esophageal lining and
loosen the lower esophageal sphincter, as can
coffee and other caffeine-containing products.
Diet can contribute to LES dysfunction. Coffee,
tea, cocoa, and cola drinks are all powerful
stimulants of gastric acids. Mints and chocolate,
often served to cap off a meal to aid in
digestion, can actually make things worse. Both
relax the LES and can induce heartburn, as can
fried and fatty foods. Some people say that onions
and garlic give them heartburn. Others have
trouble with citrus fruits or tomato products. If
you notice that a particular food leads to
episodes of heartburn, by all means stay away from
it.
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