Recently, I have had two family members and a coworker describe their newly diagnosed GERD, which stands for Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Studies show 60 million Americans have experienced occasional heartburn, where acid from the stomach flows backward up into the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Symptoms include burning behind the breastbone, that moves up toward the neck and throat, a bitter or sour taste of the acid in the back of the throat that last several hours and often worsen after eating food. However, 15 million Americans experience GERD, which is frequent heartburn (two or more times a week), possibly food sticking in the throat, vomiting up blood or weight loss. Sometimes there may be no heartburn, but asthma symptoms, or a dry frequent cough and/or laryngitis. The main problem is the valve like muscle between the esophagus and stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), opens spontaneously or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. Obesity and pregnancy can contribute to GERD due to excess weight putting pressure on the LES.
Chronic GERD left untreated can cause serious complications:
· Bleeding or ulcers from stomach acid that burns the esophagus lining
· Difficulty swallowing from narrowing of the esophagus
· Barrett’s esophagus- the esophageal lining cells take on an abnormal shape and color (may lead to cancer)
· Esophageal cancer, which is often fatal
· Pulmonary fibrosis-severe lung damage
· Asthma– worsens
Prevention & Treatment
If you or a loved one have heartburn two or more times per week, or any of the other symptoms, see a doctor. Medications can successfully manage GERD. Other ways to help manage or prevent GERD:
· Don’t smoke
· Lose weight if overweight
· Don’t lie down 2 hours after eating
· Raise the head of your bed 6 inches
Avoid or Limit These Foods:
· Citrus fruits and drinks, chocolate
· Drinks with caffeine (e.g. cola, Mt. Dew, coffee, tea, energy drinks) or alcohol
· Fried or high fat food
· Tomato sauces like spaghetti sauce, salsa, chili,
pizza and mint, garlic or onion, spicy foods
Thankfully, my family members were successfully treated, but since they were not treated early, they had more severe complications. If you or a loved one have frequent heartburn or any of these symptoms, don’t wait, see your health care provider.
Sources: http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gerd/word.asp
NIH Publication No. 07–0882, May 2007
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