gastroesophageal reflux disease
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
-
relatively common digestive disorder characterized by frequent passage of gastric contents from the
stomach back into the
esophagus. The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, a burning sensation in the chest and upper abdomen. Other symptoms may include coughing, frequent clearing of the throat, difficulty in swallowing (
dysphagia),
hoarseness, or exacerbation of
asthma.
Causes of GERD include relaxation of the muscle that connects the esophagus and the stomach (lower esophageal sphincter), delayed emptying of the esophagus or stomach,
hiatal hernia, or
obesity. A common cause of the disorder in women is
pregnancy. GERD can be treated with antacids (
antacid) or with medications that inhibit acid production, such as histamine receptor antagonists (
Zantac™, Pepcid™) or proton pump inhibitors (
Prilosec™, Prevacid™). Treatment of the disorder also includes dietary and lifestyle changes such as not eating for three hours before bedtime, avoiding acidic or fatty foods or beverages, raising the head of the bed to discourage nocturnal reflex, cessation of smoking, and weight loss. Surgery may be necessary in cases of severe reflux. If GERD is not treated, squamous cells of the esophageal lining may be replaced with columnar cells, a condition known as Barrett esophagus; some persons with Barrett esophagus develop
esophageal cancer.
* * *
Universalium.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
gastroesophageal reflux disease — n a highly variable chronic condition that is characterized by periodic episodes of gastroesophageal reflux usu. accompanied by heartburn and that may result in histopathologic changes in the esophagus abbr. GERD * * * (GERD) any condition noted… … Medical dictionary
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gastroesophageal reflux — n backward flow of the gastric contents into the esophagus due to improper functioning of a sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus and resulting esp. in heartburn see HEARTBURN * * * reflux of the stomach and duodenal contents into the… … Medical dictionary
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — Disorder characterized by frequent passage of gastric contents from the stomach back into the esophagus. Symptoms of GERD may include heartburn, coughing, frequent clearing of the throat, and difficulty in swallowing. It can be caused by… … Universalium
Reflux gastrique — Reflux gastro œsophagien Le reflux gastro œsophagien est défini par le passage dans l œsophage d une partie du contenu gastrique, acide. Il s agit d un phénomène normalement intermittent et silencieux qui se produit chez tous les sujets, en… … Wikipédia en Français
Reflux gastro-oesophagien — Reflux gastro œsophagien Le reflux gastro œsophagien est défini par le passage dans l œsophage d une partie du contenu gastrique, acide. Il s agit d un phénomène normalement intermittent et silencieux qui se produit chez tous les sujets, en… … Wikipédia en Français
Reflux gastro oesophagien — Reflux gastro œsophagien Le reflux gastro œsophagien est défini par le passage dans l œsophage d une partie du contenu gastrique, acide. Il s agit d un phénomène normalement intermittent et silencieux qui se produit chez tous les sujets, en… … Wikipédia en Français
Reflux gastro-œsophagien — Le reflux gastro œsophagien est défini par le passage dans l œsophage d une partie du contenu gastrique, acide. Il s agit d un phénomène normalement intermittent et silencieux qui se produit chez tous les sujets, en particulier après les repas.… … Wikipédia en Français
disease — diseasedly, adv. diseasedness, n. /di zeez /, n., v., diseased, diseasing. n. 1. a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection,… … Universalium
reflux esophagitis — a serious and sometimes life threatening form of gastroesophageal reflux disease that involves damage to the esophageal mucosa, often with erosion, ulceration, and infiltration by neutrophils or eosinophils. Stricture, scarring, and occasional… … Medical dictionary
