100 Questions & Answers About Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Gerd): A Lahey Clinic Guide (100 Questions & Answers about)

Contents......Page 4
Acknowledgments......Page 8
Preface......Page 10
Part 1: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Definitions and Facts......Page 12
1. What is gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD?......Page 13
2. What is heartburn?......Page 15
3. What is acid reflux?......Page 16
4. How many people are affected by GERD?......Page 17
5. What factors cause GERD?......Page 19
6. Is there a link between obesity and GERD in the United States?......Page 23
7. Do children get GERD?......Page 25
8. Does GERD affect one gender more than the other?......Page 26
9. Is GERD serious?......Page 27
10. What are some of the typical symptoms of GERD?......Page 28
11. What causes new-onset GERD?......Page 29
12. How can I improve my symptoms of GERD?......Page 32
Part 2: Symptoms and Atypical Manifestations of GERD......Page 36
13. How do I know whether my heart is causing the chest pain?......Page 37
14. What about other chest symptoms with GERD?......Page 38
15. Can I have chest pain caused by conditions other than GERD?......Page 40
16. Can I have GERD without any symptoms?......Page 41
17. Can GERD manifest as mouth symptoms in the absence of typical chest discomfort?......Page 43
18. Is there a difference between daytime and nighttime GERD?......Page 44
20. What are alarm signs of GERD?......Page 46
Part 3: Hiatal Hernias, the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, and Reflux......Page 48
22. What is a hiatal hernia and why does it cause reflux?......Page 49
23. What are the symptoms of a hiatal hernia?......Page 50
24. Will my hiatal hernia get worse and what are the complications?......Page 51
Part 4: Lifestyle, Medications, Diet, and GERD......Page 52
25. Can stress increase GERD symptoms?......Page 53
26. Can smoking cause GERD?......Page 54
27. Can medicines exacerbate GERD?......Page 55
28. Which specific medications can exacerbate GERD or damage the esophagus?......Page 57
29. Which medications can affect both the esophagus and stomach?......Page 61
30. How can I avoid GERD problems if I have to take my pills?......Page 62
31. Can exercise affect my reflux?......Page 65
32. What kind of foods can make GERD worse?......Page 67
33. What kind of foods should I eat if I have GERD?......Page 69
34. Will eating fast food make my GERD worse?......Page 70
35. How else can I change my eating habits to prevent GERD?......Page 72
36. Does GERD get worse with age?......Page 74
37. Does my bed make a difference for nighttime symptoms?......Page 75
38. Can my weight affect my GERD?......Page 76
39. When should I consider medications for GERD?......Page 77
Part 5: Complications of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease......Page 80
40. What are the complications of GERD, and are they serious?......Page 81
41. What is regurgitation?......Page 82
42. What is esophagitis?......Page 83
43. What is an esophageal stricture or ring?......Page 85
44. What is an esophageal dilation?......Page 88
45. What is Barrett’s esophagus?......Page 90
46. Will I get cancer from Barrett’s esophagus?......Page 91
47. What can be done to make Barrett’s esophagus better or make it go away?......Page 94
48. If I have Barrett’s esophagus, does it need to be followed?......Page 95
49. What are the "alarm" or concerning symptoms that might suggest esophageal cancer?......Page 96
50. How can I decrease my risk of getting cancer of the esophagus?......Page 97
51. What is aspiration?......Page 98
53. Is there a relationship between GERD and asthma or chronic lung disease?......Page 101
54. Is there a relationship between GERD and a chronic cough?......Page 102
55. Does GERD play a role in chronic chest pain?......Page 104
56. Is there a relationship between GERD and cancers of the head and neck?......Page 106
Part 6: Doctor's Evaluation......Page 108
57. When should I see my doctor about my GERD symptoms?......Page 109
58. What kind of doctor treats GERD?......Page 110
59. What symptoms should prompt a doctor’s evaluation?......Page 111
60. Should I just have a trial of medication for GERD?......Page 112
Part 7: Testing for GERD......Page 114
61. What is a barium study or upper GI series?......Page 115
62. What is an endoscopy?......Page 116
63. Is an endoscopy painful, and does it carry risks?......Page 118
64. Do I need a biopsy of the esophagus, and does it hurt?......Page 120
65. Should I be checked for H. pylori at the endoscopy?......Page 121
66. What does an endoscopy show when patients have GERD?......Page 122
67. Who should have an endoscopy and why?......Page 123
68. What is a manometry or motility study and why is it done?......Page 124
69. What is a pH study and why is it done?......Page 126
Part 8: H. pylori, GERD, and Peptic Ulcer Disease......Page 128
70. What is the relationship between ulcers and GERD?......Page 129
71. Does gastrointestinal reflux disease cause ulcers?......Page 130
72. What is H. pylori?......Page 131
73. Does H. pylori cause GERD?......Page 132
75. What are the tests for H. pylori?......Page 133
76. If I have H. pylori should I be treated?......Page 134
Part 9: Medications for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease......Page 136
77. What are antacids, and how and when should they be used?......Page 137
78. Antacids seem benign. Do they have side effects?......Page 139
79. If antacids do not work or are not appropriate for my GERD, what is the next step or tier of medications to try?......Page 141
80. What are the differences between the H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors?......Page 143
81. What are the different proton pump inhibitors? How should they be taken?......Page 145
82. What are the major side effects associated with H2 blockers and PPIs?......Page 148
83. How should I take the medications, and when will they work?......Page 150
84. Do I need to take the medication every day or just when I have reflux?......Page 151
85. What should I do if the medication is not working?......Page 152
86. If my symptoms get better, can I stop taking medication?......Page 154
Part 10: Endoscopic and Surgical Options for GERD......Page 156
87. If my GERD is chronic and possibly lifelong, do I need to take medications for life or are there any other options?......Page 157
88. Should I have surgery for my GERD?......Page 158
89. What are the surgeries for GERD?......Page 160
90. What are the long-term risks and benefits of surgery?......Page 161
91. Will I be able to stay off GERD medications if I have surgery?......Page 163
93. Will surgery decrease my risk of getting Barrett’s-associated esophageal cancer?......Page 164
94. How do I find a surgeon?......Page 165
95. What are the endoscopic therapies for GERD?......Page 166
96. What is a Stretta procedure?......Page 167
97. What is Enteryx?......Page 169
98. What is an EndoCinch or endoscopic plication?......Page 170
99. Who performs noninvasive endoscopic anti-reflux procedures?......Page 172
100. What are the long-term risks/benefits of endoscopic anti-reflux procedures?......Page 173
Bonus question: What would I do if I had chronic GERD?......Page 176
Appendix......Page 178
B......Page 180
E......Page 181
H......Page 182
L......Page 183
P......Page 184
S......Page 185
U......Page 186
A......Page 188
C......Page 189
E......Page 190
H......Page 191
M......Page 192
P......Page 193
R......Page 194
T......Page 195
Z......Page 196