GERD stands for GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) is the backflow of acid and food particles that seep out of the stomach and up into the esophagus, commonly known as heartburn, a painful, burning feeling in the chest, most commonly occurring after a meal. Heartburn on a regular basis can lead to damage and scarring in the esophagus. Frequent heartburn, occurring several times a week to several times a day, may be associated with a more severe condition known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Heartburn is so common, it often is not associated with a serious disease like GERD.

• Esophagus, pronounced – eh-SAW-fuh-gus, is the organ that connects the mouth to the stomach. Esophagus is also called gullet or food pipe, and is also spelled oesophagus.

GERD Treatments Includes

• Following the changes in lifestyle, mentioned below.
• Using the proper medication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that helps decrease the production of stomach acid.
• When symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend surgery for gastroesophagea reflux disease (GERD).

Changes in Lifestyle Can Help

• Diet modification (avoid the foods that give you hearthburn or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
• Raising the head of your bed on blocks by 4 to 6 inches.
• If you smoke, quit.
• Avoiding food 2 to 3 hours before bed.
• Do not lie down after eating.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Lose weight if you’re overweight – Use the Body Mass Index Calculator to see if you are at a healthy weight, overweight, or obese.
• Avoid drinks with caffeine.
• Avoid tight clothing.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Maintain ideal weight.

Your Doctor May Want to Schedule You For Some Tests

Tests might include:

• Barium Swallow – also called an esophagram
  Barium swallow is a series of x-rays of the esophagus. The patient drinks a liquid which coats the inside of the esophagus called barium (BAIR-ee-um). Barium is a chalky liquid used to coat the inside of organs so that they will show up on an x-ray. The barium will show any changes in the shape of the esophagus through the x-rays.
• 24 Hour Esophageal pH Test – measures how much stomach acid backs up into the esophagus in 24 hours. For this test, a small tube (catheter) is passed through the nose, down the back of your throat and positioned in the esophagus. On the tip of the catheter is a sensor that senses acid. The other end of the catheter exits from the nose, wraps back over the ear, and travels down to the waist, where it is attached to a recorder. Each time acid refluxes back into the esophagus from the stomach, it stimulates the sensor and the recorder records the episode of reflux. After a 20 to 24 hour period of time, the catheter is removed and the record of reflux from the recorder is analyzed. The complications of this procedure are exceedingly rare, with the most significant being esophageal perforation. Sometimes your nose might bleed and you may have a sore throat after the test.
• Endoscopy
  Endoscopy is an examination of the inside of the esophagus using a small, flexible tube with a light and a lens on the end called an endoscope. An anesthetic (substance that causes loss of feeling or awareness) is usually used during this procedure. If an abnormal area is found, the doctor can collect cells and tissue through the endoscope for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. A biopsy can show cancer, tissue changes that may lead to cancer, or other conditions.
• CAT (or CT) Scan – computed tomography
  CAT (or CT) Scan is a computer linked to an x-ray machine creates a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
• Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) Test – previously called Campylobacter pylori
  Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral shaped bacterium found in the stomach. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) damages stomach and duodenal tissue, causing ulcers. An ulcer is a sore on the skin surface or on the stomach lining or intestinal lining.