GERD Awareness Week takes place every November around the Thanksgiving holiday. GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a very common condition. While overeating a turkey dinner will trigger heartburn for a lot of people, experiencing it more than twice a week may mean you have GERD.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition caused by a leaky lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES should stay closed when you are not eating. If it doesn’t, stomach acid will flow up into the esophagus. This, on its own, is known as acid reflux.
But when it happens frequently (more than twice a week) and the acid starts to cause damage to the esophagus, it becomes GERD.
The most common symptom of GERD is a burning sensation in your chest, known as heartburn. You may also feel like there is a lump in your throat and have trouble swallowing. At night, it can cause coughing, laryngitis, and poor sleep.
Some people also experience less common symptoms such as chronic cough, chest pain, tooth erosions, or a sour taste in the mouth.
There are two different ways GERD may be triggered – lifestyle factors and medical conditions.
Lifestyle factors that increase the risk for GERD are:
Medical conditions that increase the risk for GERD are:
Also, pregnancy often leads to temporary GERD as the baby pushes on the stomach and internal organs. Additionally, anxiety can worsen GERD symptoms for some patients.
GERD is usually diagnosed by a physical examination and your medical history and symptoms, along with an upper endoscopy. An upper endoscopy is a procedure where a doctor is able to view your esophagus and stomach using a camera on a long flexible tube.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend additional testing such as pH monitoring to measure acid levels in your esophagus over a period of time.
GERD can often be treated by making lifestyle changes and taking medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or histamine antagonists. Recent advances in treatment also include newer medications such as potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs).
GERD may be treated with surgery or a minimally invasive procedure like Stretta, though this is not usually necessary.
When GERD is left untreated for many years, continual damage to the esophagus can lead to Barrett’s esophagus.
Barrett’s esophagus is when the cells lining the inside of the esophagus transform into a cell that could become cancerous. This change increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
By finding and treating GERD sooner, the chance of developing esophageal cancer in the future can be reduced. Early detection and proper management are crucial for preventing serious complications.
If you are experiencing heartburn more than twice a week, it is time to see a doctor. Don’t delay getting treatment for GERD symptoms – schedule an appointment now!
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