ABOUT Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment
What Is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is a condition that happens when the stomach acid or bile flows back into the esophagus. This can lead to heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain. The symptoms usually come from the fluids irritating your upper digestive tract, but it can also come from bacterial infections in the lower intestine as well as some throat infections.
Some risk factors for GERD include smoking or drinking
alcohol, being overweight or obese, having a hiatal hernia, taking medications
that increase stomach acid production such as proton-pump inhibitors and
metformin for diabetes treatment, and being pregnant with a tilted uterus.
Costs of Care
In the US, the total cost for GERD care in 2015 came to
$11.7 billion. This includes both drug and non-drug costs as well as emergency
room visits and hospital stays.
The average costs for a person with GERD are $2,832 per
year if they seek treatment from their primary healthcare provider or a
gastroenterologist, which is a medical expert who treats people with stomach
and intestinal problems.
For those not going to see a medical expert, the
average cost was around $48 per person due to less expensive treatment options
such as medications over the counter or the internet. If these measures fail,
then emergency room visits take place which can be very costly. People were
paying an average of $1,500 for their ER visits in 2015.
Treatment Options
The most common treatment for GERD is acid-blocking
(anti-acid) medicines taken once or twice a day depending on the severity of
the condition.
If the medicine doesn't work or if there are side
effects, then there are more invasive treatments available like surgery to
surgically place a band around part of the stomach to stop the acid reflux.
The most beneficial treatments for GERD are the ones
that lower the body's production of acid, which include proton pump inhibitors
or PPIs.
They are taken daily to lower stomach acid reflux. The
side effects of these medications can cause nausea, bleeding ulcers, and the
development of a dependency on them due to their effectiveness.
Another medication that lowers stomach acid is called
H2 blockers which help keep stomach acid in the digestive tract. These are
often used if other treatments are not effective or if other medications have
significant side effects. The main side effect of these is an increased risk of
getting rheumatoid arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions On Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
What Are The Symptoms Of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?
GERD is characterized by frequent heartburn, chest
pain, regurgitation, heartburn that is relieved by lying on your back or
bending forward while lying on your stomach, belching or burping after eating
certain foods or drinks, bloating in the abdomen, regurgitation of gastric contents
during sleep which can lead to coughing and choking, feeling nauseated after
eating certain foods or drinks.
How Is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diagnosed?
The most common way to diagnose GERD is through a
simple test called an EGD (endoscopic examination of the lower GI tract). This
is done by an experienced gastroenterologist or physician to determine if there
are any precancerous changes in the lining of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, or
intestines.
Patients with GERD can often identify their symptoms
which can lead to a diagnosis, but it is still good to get checked out every
once in a while.
Another test that can be done to rule out GERD is
called an Upper GI (or upper endoscopy) where a long thin tube is inserted
through the nose and throat into the esophagus and stomach with a camera
attached.
The tube goes through the esophagus and into the
stomach, where the physician can take small samples of tissue to see if there
are any precancerous or cancerous changes.
Is GERD Hereditary?
GERD is not hereditary in that it has nothing to do
with genetics. However, there is a genetic component involved in the
development of GERD.
If you have a family history of GERD, then your chances
of developing it are higher than someone who does not have extended family
affected by this condition.
