Gastroesophageal reflux disease, (GERD) consists of a spectrum of symptoms that occur when gastric acid refluxes into the esophagus, thereby causing damage to it. One of the major contributing factors to GERD is the inability of the stomach to empty itself in a normal fashion (a motility disorder). This then leads to prolonged periods of contact between acid and the esophageal wall, thereby leading to inflammation and scarring of the esophagus.
Persons with occasional mild symptoms of GERD may not require any specific evaluation and may be candidates for direct treatment. Patients with regular symptoms of GERD (weekly symptoms or symptoms on a consistent basis) or patients with heartburn associated with difficulty swallowing, weight loss, anemia or bleeding need to be evaluated on a more aggressive basis.
The goal of medical care is to relieve symptoms and heal esophagitis. The severity of GERD symptoms and complications influence therapy selection. The symptoms of GERD are generally well controlled with appropriate lifestyle changes and available drug therapy. In very severe cases, surgery may needed to receive an acceptable response.
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Overview of therapy for the extraesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
Dental erosion: predominant oral lesion in gastroesophageal reflux disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
Asthma and gastroesophageal reflux. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
ENT manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
Gastroesophageal reflux and chronic cough. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
Approach to the patient with unexplained chest pain. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
Extraesophageal presentations of gastroesophageal reflux disease: an overview. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
Gastroesophageal reflux disease in intellectually disabled individuals: how often, how serious, how manageable?. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2000
Digestive system disorders: gastroesophageal reflux disease. Western Journal of Medicine. 2000
Antireflux surgery in the management of Barrett's esophagus. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2000
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