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Heartburn is a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards the throat (acid reflux). If it keeps happening, it may be called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
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- Antacids
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- Gastroscopy
Page last reviewed: 07 April 2022 Next review due: 07 April...
- Hiatus Hernia
- Overview
- Stages of GERD
- Causes and symptoms of advanced GERD stages
- Diagnosis
- Risks of advanced stages of GERD
- Treatment options
- Outlook
- Summary
Advanced stages of GERD involve worsening symptoms and can lead to complications that will also need treatment. These include asthma, chronic cough, and laryngitis.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD, is a chronic condition that happens when the acids in the stomach back up into the esophagus. There are several stages of GERD, ranging from mild to severe.
GERD presents in stages.
The symptoms a person experiences help a doctor with staging GERD in a person.
There are four stages of GERD. They are:
•Stage 1 (mild): A person has infrequent heartburn and regurgitation happening once or less each week.
•Stage 2 (moderate): A person has regurgitation or heartburn occurring a few times a week.
•Stage 3 (severe): A person has regular heartburn, a chronic cough, regurgitation, a hoarse voice, and regurgitation of food.
GERD occurs when the sphincter in the lower esophagus weakens or relaxes when it should not. Several factors can lead to the development of GERD, including:
•having obesity or overweight
•secondhand smoke and smoking
•pregnancy
•side effects of certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, certain asthma medications, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Advanced stages of GERD occur when a person’s acid reflux goes untreated for a long period of time. About 15% of people living with GERD are at stage 3, while about 10% of people living with GERD will progress to stage 4.
In many cases of GERD, a doctor will diagnose a person by reviewing the symptoms they are experiencing. A doctor may recommend treatments instead of doing tests to diagnose GERD.
If a person’s symptoms do not ease with medication and lifestyle changes, or their symptoms indicate a complication from GERD, a doctor may recommend testing. Testing can help a doctor diagnose GERD and check for complications.
Tests may include:
•an endoscopy, which is a procedure where a doctor inserts a small camera into the esophagus to check for causes of a person’s symptoms and signs of complications
Advanced stages of GERD increase a person’s risk of developing potentially serious complications. Some common complications include:
•Barrett’s esophagus, a condition where tissue similar to the small intestine develops in the esophagus and can lead to cancer
•chronic cough
•asthma
•laryngitis
•hoarseness
Treatment typically involves a combination of medical interventions and lifestyle changes.
Medical interventions may include:
•over-the-counter or prescription antacids
•acid reducers such as H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors
•surgery such as fundoplication (sewing the top of the stomach around the esophagus) or bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery)
In addition to medications and other treatments, a doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes. These can include:
With effective management, a person living with GERD can maintain a high quality of life and continue their typical daily activities.
Severe complications are rare, and most people will find symptom relief with lifestyle changes and medications.
Advanced stages of GERD typically present with worsening and more frequent symptoms as well as a higher risk of developing complications.
Treatment often involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a surgical procedure.
Jul 3, 2023 · Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that develops when there is a retrograde flow of stomach contents back into the esophagus. It can present as non-erosive reflux disease or erosive esophagitis. This activity illustrates the evaluation and treatment of GERD and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in improving ...
- Catiele Antunes, Abdul Aleem, Sean A. Curtis
- 2023/07/03
- 2019
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Apr 3, 2024 · By contrast, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) experience bothersome symptoms or damage to the esophagus as a result of acid reflux. Symptoms of GERD can include heartburn, regurgitation, and difficulty or pain with swallowing.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more severe and long-lasting condition in which GER causes repeated symptoms that are bothersome or leads to complications over time. If you think you may have GERD, you should see your doctor.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) - Etiology, pathophysiology, symptoms, signs, diagnosis & prognosis from the Merck Manuals - Medical Professional Version.
Jul 15, 2022 · Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is notable for its high prevalence, variety of clinical presentations, under-recognized morbidity, and substantial economic consequences. This topic will review the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of GERD.
