Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD, Acid Reflux) : Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD, or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up, or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus although this occurs in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach.) The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that attaches to the stomach.) Acid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid. Pepsin and bile also may injure the esophagus, but their role in the production of esophageal inflammation and damage (esophagitis) is not as clear as the role of acid. GERD is a chronic condition. Once it begins, it usually is life-long. If there is injury to the lining of the esophagus (esophagitis), this also is a chronic condition. Moreover, after the esophagus has healed with treatment and treatment is stopped, the injury will return in most patients within a few months. Once treatment for GERD is begun, therefore, it usually will need to be continued indefinitely. Actually, the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus occurs in most normal individuals. In fact, one study found that reflux occurs as frequently in normal individuals as in patients with GERD. In patients with GERD, however, the refluxed liquid contains acid more often, and the acid remains in the esophagus longer. The cause of GERD is complex. There probably are multiple causes, and different causes may be operative in different individuals or even in the same individual at various times. A small number of patients with GERD produce abnormally large amounts of acid, but this is uncommon and not a contributing factor in the vast majority of patients. The factors that contribute to causing GERD are the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernias, esophageal contractions, and emptying of the stomach.

Heartburn : When acid refluxes back into the esophagus in patients with GERD, nerve fibers in the esophagus are stimulated. This nerve stimulation results most commonly in heartburn, the pain that is characteristic of GERD. Heartburn usually is described as a burning pain in the middle of the chest. It may start high in the abdomen or may extend up into the neck. In some patients, however, the pain may be sharp or pressure-like, rather than burning. Such pain can mimic heart pain (angina). In other patients, the pain may extend to the back. Since acid reflux is more common after meals, heartburn is more common after meals. Heartburn is also more common when individuals lie down because without the effects of gravity, reflux occurs more easily, and acid is returned to the stomach more slowly. Episodes of heartburn may occur infrequently or frequently, but episodes tend to happen periodically. This means that the episodes are more frequent or severe for a period of several weeks or months, and then they become less frequent or severe or even absent for several weeks or months. Nevertheless, heartburn is a life-long problem, and it almost always returns. Nausea is uncommon in GERD. In some patients, however, it may be frequent or severe and may result in vomiting. In fact, in patients with unexplained nausea and/or vomiting, GERD is one of the first conditions suspected. It is not clear why some patients with GERD develop mainly heartburn and others develop mainly nausea.

Peptic Ulcer Treatment & Medication : The goal of ulcer treatment is to relieve pain and to prevent ulcer complications, such as bleeding, obstruction, and perforation. The first step in treatment involves the reduction of risk factors (NSAIDs and cigarettes). The next step is medications. Antacids neutralize existing acid in the stomach. Antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Amphojel are safe and effective treatments. However, the neutralizing action of these agents is short-lived, and frequent dosages are required. Magnesium containing antacids, such as Maalox and Mylanta, can cause diarrhea, while aluminum agents like Amphojel can cause constipation. Ulcers frequently return when antacids are discontinued. Studies have shown that a protein in the stomach called histamine stimulates gastric acid secretion. Histamine antagonists (H2 blockers) are drugs designed to block the action of histamine on gastric cells, hence reducing acid output. Examples of H2 blockers are cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid). While H2 blockers are effective in ulcer healing, they have limited role in eradicating H. pylori without antibiotics. Therefore, ulcers frequently return when H2 blockers are stopped. Generally, these drugs are well tolerated and have few side effects even with long term use. In rare instances, patients report headache, confusion, lethargy, or hallucinations. Chronic use of cimetidine may rarely cause impotence or breast swelling. Both cimetidine and ranitidine can interfere with body's ability to handle alcohol. Patients on these drugs who drink alcohol may have elevated blood alcohol levels. These drugs may also interfere with the liver's handling of other medications like Dilantin, Coumadin, and theophylline. Frequent monitoring and adjustments of the dosages of these medications may be needed. Omeprazole (Prilosec) is more potent than H2 blockers in suppressing acid secretion. Prilosec virtually shuts down stomach acid output. While Prilosec is comparable to H2 blockers in effectiveness in treating gastric and duodenal ulcers, it is superior to H2 blockers in treating esophageal ulcers. Esophageal ulcers are more sensitive than gastric and duodenal ulcers to minute amounts of acid. Therefore, complete acid suppression, which is accomplished by Prilosec, is important for esophageal ulcer healing. Interestingly, the complete shut down of stomach acid does not have any effect on the patient's ability to digest and absorb nutrients. Prilosec is well tolerated. In large doses, Prilosec can cause small bowel tumors in rats. No such tumors have been reported thus far in humans, even with long term use. Safe duration of long-term treatment with Prilosec has not been firmly established. Many people harbor H. pylori in their stomachs without ever having pain or ulcers. It is not completely clear whether these patients should be treated with antibiotics. More studies are needed to answer this question. Patients with documented ulcer disease and H. pylori infection should be treated with antibiotic combinations. H. pylori can be very difficult to completely eradicate. Treatment requires a combination of several antibiotics, sometimes in combination with Prilosec, H2 blockers or Pepto-Bismol. Commonly used antibiotics are tetracycline, amoxicillin, metronidazole (Flagyl), and clarithromycin (Biaxin). Eradication of H. pylori prevents the return of ulcers (a major problem with all other ulcer treatment options). Elimination of this bacteria may also decrease the risk of developing gastric cancer in the future. Treatment with antibiotics carries the risk of allergic reactions, diarrhea, and sometimes severe antibiotic-induced colitis (inflammation of the colon). There is no conclusive evidence that dietary restrictions and bland diets play a role in ulcer healing. No proven relationship exists between peptic ulcer disease and the intake of coffee and alcohol. However, since coffee stimulates gastric acid secretion, and alcohol can cause gastritis, moderation in alcohol and coffee consumption is often recommended.

Obesity Increases Chances of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) : People who are overweight or obese may be up to six times more likely to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) than people who are of normal body weight. The association was strongest among heavy, premenopausal women and women who have used hormone therapy, suggesting that estrogen may play a role in the development of the stomach disorder. People who lost weight seemed to have a reduction in their symptoms. People in the Western hemisphere are getting heavier and more are developing the uncomfortable symptoms of GERD. Both obesity and GERD raise the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma, the incidence of which has also been on the rise in the last few years. GERD occurs when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus doesn't close properly and lets the contents of the stomach (including stomach acid) spill up into the esophagus. The symptoms are continuing heartburn and acid regurgitation but can also include chest pain, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness in the morning. No one is sure what causes the disorder, although certain conditions may predispose a person. Severely obese premenopausal women had the highest risk, being 6.8 times more likely to have GERD than normal women, while severely obese postmenopausal women were 4.2 times more likely to have reflux symptoms. Estrogen may predispose heavy women to reflux disease because it stimulates the production of nitrous oxide, which relaxes smooth muscles, something you definitely don't want in GERD, Karakurum says.