Many people will experience heartburn and acid reflux at some point in their life, but reoccurring acid reflux is a condition called GERD. GERD stands for gastroesophegeal reflux disease. “GERD presents a collection of unpleasant clinical symptoms and histologic alterations resulting from the chronic, excessive backflow of gastric contents (refluxate) into the esophagus. Among other manifestations, GERD may cause frequent or daily heartburn and esophageal injury” (The Nurse Practitioner). It can be a challenge for patients to manage the causes, symptoms, and treatments of GERD.
Causes
Gastroesophegeal reflux disease is caused by diet, improper closure or weakness of esophageal sphincter, or other diseases and risk factors. To much acid reflux …show more content…
“These include barium upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract radiography with or without air contrast, esophagogastroduo-denoscopy (EGD) with or without esophageal mucosal biopsy, the acid suppression test, 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring with or without symptom index, gastroesophageal scintigraphy, and the Bernstein test (an intraesophageal acid infusion test)” (Mayo Clinic Proceedings). The 24 hour ambulatory esophageal ph monitors how often and when stomach acid is regurgitated. A tube is inserted through the patients nose and into the esophagus connected to the device that monitors the acid. The patient wears the device for 24 hours. The barium swallow test shows the esophagus, stomach, and upper intestines on an x-ray. This happens because the barium the patient ingests illuminates those areas. Another commonly used test is esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A small thin tube is inserted down a patients throat with a camera and light in order to see the lining of the esophagus and the stomach. The endoscopy can be used to take a sample of the esophageal lining for a biopsy if Barrett's esophagus is …show more content…
An alkaline based diet should be maintained in order to keep stomach acid from becoming over active. Acidic foods should be avoided such as citrus fruits, spicy foods, tomatoes, carbonated dark colored sodas, fried foods, and dairy product. It is best to eat a plant based diet. Medications may be prescribed if lifestyle changes aren't doing enough. These medications are referred to as H2 blockers, H2 receptor antagonists, or acid reducers. H2 blockers block the process of histamine reducing the production of acid. If H2 blockers are not successful laproscopic surgery may be needed to reinforce the esophageal sphincter by tightening it with stomach skin to stop the backflow of acid. Also, another type of surgery that can be done requires a device called a Linx, tiny magnetic beads. These beads are placed inside the sphincter. The magnetic attraction allows it to close completely and open again when food is passing