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Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
Patient Handout: GERD
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is an irritation of the swallowing tube (also called the esophagus) by acid that comes up from the stomach. GERD is also called “Acid Reflux.” People who have pain with GERD may call it “Acid Indigestion” or “Heartburn.” Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart (although some of the symptoms are similar to a heart attack).
What Causes of GERD?
When
swallowing, food passes down the throat and through the esophagus to the
stomach. Normally, a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter
opens to allow food into the stomach (or to let air out with burping); then
it closes again. Next, the stomach releases strong acids to help break down
the food.
When the lower esophageal sphincter opens too often or does not close tight enough, stomach acid can reflux, or wash back into the esophagus, causing damage to the lining. Some people have heartburn pain when reflux happens. Some people feel nothing. Other symptoms include a bitter taste in your mouth, coughing at night, hoarseness in the morning, or worsening asthma.
Stomach acid in the esophagus can also cause ulcers,
strictures (narrowing),
and cancer.
Treatment of GERD
The first treatments your doctor will usually recommend for GERD are lifestyle and dietary changes. The purpose of these changes is to reduce the amount of reflux or reduce the potential for damage to the esophageal lining from refluxed substances. Your habits and diet cause or worsen GERD by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter and allowing it to open, increasing the amount of acid in the stomach, increasing stomach pressure, or by making the esophagus more sensitive to harsh acids.
Dietary Habits That Improve GERD
- Eating small portions
- Avoid eating certain foods, including onions, chocolate, peppermint, high-fat or spicy foods, citrus fruits, garlic, and tomatoes or tomato-based products
- Avoid drinking certain beverages, including citrus juices, alcohol, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and other caffeinated and carbonated drinks
- Avoid eating or drinking for 3 hours before going to bed
Lifestyle Habits That Improve GERD
- Lose weight (if you are overweight)
- Stop smoking
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing or belts
- Avoid lying down or prolonged bending over, especially after eating
- Avoid straining and constipation
- Elevate the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches
- Avoid Stress
Other conditions that worsen heartburn include pregnancy, bulging of the stomach into the chest cavity (also called hiatal hernia), and taking certain medications, especially some antibiotics and aspirin.
People with severe, chronic esophageal reflux or with symptoms not
relieved with conventional treatment may need more complete diagnostic
testing that includes an upper endoscopy test (looking into the throat with
a telescope) or 24-hour esophageal pH test (a small tube through your nose
into your esophagus that measures the amount of acid).
A small percentage of people with chronic GERD may require daily medications or even surgery.
Department of Otolaryngology
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA
30912
Adult Appointments: (706) 721-4400; Pediatric Appointments: (706) 721-5500