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Gastroesophageal reflux disease

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Peptic esophagitis; Reflux esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic

Treatment:

General measures include:

• Weight reduction
• Avoiding lying down after meals
• Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated
• Taking medication with plenty of water
• Avoiding dietary fat, chocolate, caffeine, peppermint (they may cause lower esophageal pressure)
• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco

Medications that alleviate symptoms include:

• Antacids after meals and at bedtime
• Histamine H2 receptor blockers
• Promotility agents
• Proton pump inhibitors

Anti-reflux operations ( Nissen fundoplication ) may help a small number of patients who have persistent symptoms despite medical treatment. There are also new therapies that can be performed through an endoscope (a flexible tube passed through the mouth into the stomach) for reflux.

Expectations (prognosis):

The majority of people respond to nonsurgical measures with behavioral modification and medications.

Complications:

• Inflammation of the esophagus
• Stricture
• Esophageal ulcer
• Hoarseness, bronchospasm
• Chronic pulmonary disease
• Barrett's esophagus (a change in the lining of the esophagus that can increase the risk of cancer)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or do not improve with lifestyle changes or medication.

• Review Date: 7/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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