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GASTROINTESTINAL

GERD — Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

What is GERD?

Often called acid reflux, GERD is a condition where acids from your stomach don't stay put. Instead, they back up into your esophagus – the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. Some people get heartburn once in a while depending on what they eat or drink, but GERD is when you get bothersome heartburn on a regular or frequent basis. Untreated GERD can cause irritation and inflammation in your esophagus (esophagitis).

What Causes GERD?

Eating too much at night or before lying down can sometimes cause heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth. But having heartburn from time to time doesn't mean that you have GERD. With GERD, the reflux and heartburn last longer and happen more often.

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When you swallow food, it travels down your esophagus. At the bottom of your esophagus there is a valve that opens to let food through into the stomach. When you have GERD, that valve doesn't close tightly enough to create a seal. As your stomach works hard to break down all of your food for further digestion, acid juices sneak past that valve and make their way into your esophagus. This is called acid reflux. 

Symptoms of GERD

  • Ongoing heartburn (burning, warmth or discomfort in behind your breastbone) 

  • Sour or bitter taste in your mouth, especially when you wake up in the morning 

  • Feeling of fluid coming up into the back of your throat 

  • Chronic cough 

  • Post nasal drip (drainage from your nose down the back of your throat) 

Home Treatment of GERD

  • Eat smaller meals! Our stomachs are not really made to eat very large meals. It is better to eat smaller, more frequent meals through the day. 

  • Do not eat within 3 hours of going to bed. 

  • Raise the head of your bed by about 15-20 cm 

  • Avoid triggers such as spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol or any other foods that seem to make your GERD worse. 

  • Weight loss can also be helpful. Large bellies cause increased pressure on your stomach which can worsen symptoms.

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If you try all of these things but are still having symptoms, try over the counter antacids such as Tums, Gaviscon, Pepto Bismol or Pepcid. Speak to your pharmacist if you are unsure what kind of antacid to choose.

When to See a Doctor

  • You have tried all of the home treatment options and you are still having symptoms 

    • Your doctor may prescribe a different medication called a Proton Pump Inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid your stomach is making 

    • If your symptoms do not get better or are worsening, your doctor may refer you for upper endoscopy – this is when we use a camera to look down your throat into your stomach under sedation

Sometimes heartburn can be severe and feel like a heart attack.

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Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you have heartburn with: 

  • Chest pain or pressure 

  • Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating very fast or irregularly) 

  • Pain/numbness in your arms, jaw or neck 

  • Nausea or vomiting 

  • Sweating 

  • Shortness of breath

For More Information

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