Gastroesophageal Reflux Research Paper

Lesli Brookshire
Anatomy and Physics
D. Loving
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Gastroesophageal reflux is a condition in which the contents in the stomach, sometimes food, sometimes liquid, leaks backwards from the stomach into the throat (ncbi). One common cause of Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when there is an abnormality in the stomach called a hiatal hernia. This happens when the top part of the stomach and LES move above the diaphragm, a muscle that keeps your chest and stomach separated. In normal circumstances, the diaphragm helps keep acid in our stomach, but if you have a hiatal hernia, acid can move up into your esophagus and cause symptoms of acid reflux disease (webMd). Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) can form into a more serious, chronic form. This is called Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD,
will occur more than twice a week for a few weeks straight (NDDIC). If this occurs you need to seek immediate medical attention due to the fact that it can cause serious health problems. GERD can also be called acid reflux or acid regurgitation. This is because of the stomach acid flowing back up into the throat causing heartburn or the chest to ache and burn. Often when people suffer from this disease, they can taste food particles or even fluids in the back of the mouth (NDDIC). This refluxed stomach acid burns the lining in the esophagus and causes fluid to leak into the chest forming heartburn, also called acid indigestion. Heartburn is a very uncomfortable, burning sensation in the midchest, behind the breastbone, or in the upper abdomen (NDDIC). There are many symptoms for Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The most common symptoms are in those with the mild cases of GER or GERD. These symptoms include: feeling of food or liquids behind the breastbone, heartburn or burning in the chest, which causes you to bend, stoop, or lie down more than usual, and can only be relieved with antacids, and nausea after eating. People who suffer from this disease will be affected more at night or right after eating. There are also some other symptoms that occur in the more severe cases. These symptoms include: regurgitation, coughing and wheezing, difficulty swallowing foods and liquids, constant hiccups, hoarseness, and sore throat all the time (NDDIC). The course of this disease depends on the patient and how severe it is or has become. GERD may occur as often as once per hour (aafp). With the correct medication and proper diet decrease in symptoms can and will occur. The lessoning of the symptoms takes many years to occur although. GERD often recurs in 50 to 80 percent of affected patients within six to 12 months after discontinuation of pharmacologic therapy
(aafp).

Works Cited Page
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Peptic esophagitis; Reflux esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic; Dyspepsia –GERD. August 2011 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001311/
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Adults. NIH Publication No. 13–0882. September 2013 http://www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/index.aspx
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). (page 1) WebMd http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/reflux-disease-gerd-1
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Diagnosis and Management. MARK SCOTT, M.D., and AIMEE R. GELHOT, PHARM.D., University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky. Am Fam Physician. 1999 Mar 1;59(5):1161-1169. http://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0301/p1161.html