Gastroesophageal reflux disease also known as GERD is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows back into the esophagus. The backwash of acid irritates the lining of the esophagus and causes GERD signs and symptoms. GERD includes acid reflux and heartburn. They are both common digestive conditions that many people experience from time to time. When these signs and symptoms occur at least twice each week and begin to interfere with your daily life, doctors call this GERD. Most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. These remedies only offer temporary relief. People with GERD may need stronger medications, even surgery, to reduce symptoms. Some of the signs and symptoms of GERD are as follows: heartburn chest pain difficulty swallowing dry cough
Hoarseness or sore throat
Regurgitation of food or sour liquid (acid reflux)
Sensation of a lump in the throat (Kahrilas 2008).
This disease affects the digestive system. This system includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, pharynx and the rectum. The digestive system’s job is to make sure all food is broken down, digested and expelled as waste from the body. It is recommended that one seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, especially when accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as shortness of breath, jaw or arm pain. Over time, chronic inflammation in the esophagus can lead to complications, including: narrowing of the esophagus. The damage to cells in the lower esophagus from acid exposure leads to formation of scar tissue. The scar tissue narrows the food pathway and it makes it very difficult to swallow. Stomach acid can severely erode tissues in the esophagus, causing an open sore to form. The doctor may also suggest tests and procedures used to diagnose GERD, such as an X-ray of the upper digestive system. Sometimes called a barium swallow or upper GI series, this procedure involves drinking a chalky liquid that coats and fills the inside lining of your digestive tract. Then X-rays are taken of your upper digestive tract. The coating allows your doctor to see a silhouette of the shape and condition of your esophagus, stomach and upper intestine. Endoscopy is also a way to visually examine the inside of your esophagus. During endoscopy, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera down your throat. The endoscope allows your doctor to examine your esophagus and stomach. Doctors may also use endoscopy to collect a sample of tissue (biopsy) for further testing. Endoscopy is useful in looking for complications of reflux, such as Barrett's esophagus. (Kahrilas 2008).
There is also a test to monitor the amount of acid in your esophagus. Ambulatory acid probe tests use an acid-measuring device to identify when, and for how long, stomach acid regurgitates into your esophagus. The acid monitor can be a thin, flexible tube that's threaded through the nose into the esophagus. During the test, the tube stays in place and connects to a small computer that one is to wear around his or her waist or with a strap over the shoulder. Or the acid monitor can be a clip that's placed in your esophagus during endoscopy. The probe transmits a signal to a small computer that you wear around your waist for about two days, and then the probe falls off to be passed in your stool.
Surgery is also an option. Surgery is performed to create a barrier preventing the backup of stomach acid. A device is inserted through the mouth into the stomach. The device is used to fold the tissue at the base of the stomach into a replacement for the sphincter valve, to keep stomach acid from washing into your esophagus. Your doctor may recommend this
