Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a severe form of indigestion, or heartburn, that’s caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. It usually occurs after eating fried or fatty foods, citrus fruits and juices, tomato products, and caffeine-containing products.
Almost everyone experiences heartburn at one time or another. Rarely is it life threatening.
Chest pain, which is often described as a burning feeling, lasts for several minutes and is usually made worse after bending forward or lying flat. Some individuals have a bitter taste in their mouth and the feeling that food is coming back into their mouth. Rarely, pain is felt between the shoulder blades or in the teeth or jaw
Your physician may be able to diagnose GERD by testing the amount of acid in your esophagus. Ambulatory acid (pH) probe tests use a device to measure acid over a 48-hour period. The tests show when and for how long stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.
This condition is a chronic digestive disease that results in a painful irritation in the esophagus. It occurs when food or liquid escapes the stomach and pushes upward into the esophagus.
Simple measures, like changing the diet and taking antacids on occasion, will keep heartburn under control.
If you have acid reflux, your doctor may recommend medications such as Axid, Pepcid, Zantac, or Tagamet, which are available in prescription-strength or lower-dose, over-the-counter form. This medication is usually taken for life because symptoms often return when patients stop taking it.
If you have persistent symptoms, your physician may prescribe more powerful medications, such as Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex, or Protonix.
Because so many effective medications are available, surgery is rarely necessary.
