This week, PacificSource Nurse Jen Clason is gearing up to answer your questions on gastroesophageal reflux disease (a.k.a. GERD) for our next AMA (Ask Me Anything) video! To give you an idea of what GERD is, we asked Jen some basic questions.

What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?

Gastroesophageal reflux. Those are some giant words, so let’s break it down.

“Gastro” means “stomach.”

“Esophageal” means “related to the esophagus.” Your esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.

“Reflux” means “to flow back.”

So in plain English, gastroesophageal reflux is when the juices in your stomach (called stomach acid) flow backward out of the stomach and up into the esophagus, and having stomach acid in a place it doesn’t belong is nobody’s idea of a good time!

Why does this happen?

When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (called the lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach. Then the sphincter closes again. If the sphincter relaxes at the wrong time or is too weak to close properly, stomach acid can flow back up into your esophagus. This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of your esophagus.

Conditions that can increase your risk of GERD include obesity, hiatal hernia (bulging of the top of the stomach up into the diaphragm), pregnancy, connective tissue disorders (such as scleroderma), and delayed stomach emptying.

What are the symptoms of GERD?

The most common symptom of GERD is a burning sensation in your chest, which is often referred to as acid reflux or heartburn. This usually happens after eating and might be worse at night.

Another symptom is chest pain. Of course, chest pain can also be a symptom of a heart attack, so it’s always important to contact your doctor if you experience this symptom. 

Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, and the sensation of a lump in your throat. If you have nighttime acid reflux, you might also experience a chronic cough, laryngitis, new or worsening asthma, or disrupted sleep.

What is the treatment process for GERD?

Most of the time, GERD can be controlled with lifestyle changes and medication. First, your doctor will recommend that you maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking (if you smoke, of course), and practice relaxation techniques to manage stress.

You should also remember to:

  • Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly.
  • Do not eat large and/or late-night meals.
  • Avoid trigger foods and beverages, like coffee, alcohol, and spicy, high-fat or acidic foods (such as tomato sauce, salsa, or processed foods).
  • Wait at least 30 minutes after eating before you lie down.
  • Elevate the head of your bed or use a wedge pillow.
  • Avoid medications that cause heartburn, such as aspirin. (Talk with your doctor before making any medication changes.)

The next treatment step is often medication. There are a number of over-the-counter antacids that will help mild GERD. Your doctor might also recommend an H-2 receptor blocker to reduce acid production, or a proton pump inhibitor, which blocks acid production. Proton pump inhibitors are stronger acid blockers and can allow time for damaged tissue in the esophagus to heal. Both of these types of medications are available in prescription or over-the-counter strengths.

If your GERD is difficult to control, your doctor may recommend surgical options.

Now it’s your turn!

This is your opportunity to ask Jen questions about GERD. She’ll answer your questions on video, and we’ll post the video on this blog on Wednesday, June 6.

So, how do I ask questions?

Scroll down to the comment section, and leave your question as a comment.