registration number plate GERD & Heartburn: What Is GERD? Medically reviewed on Feb 8, 2017 by C. Fookes, BPharm . Previous 1 of 13 Next View as slideshow 1. What Is GERD? Stomachs Behaving Badly Do you ever get a burning feeling in your stomach or behind your breastbone after eating? Can you sometimes feel the acid splashing out of your stomach and rising up towards your mouth...or worse still....burp acid? Perhaps you often feel bloated or a bit sick after food? If your answer was "Yes" to any of these questions then you may have heartburn or a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease , commonly abbreviated as GERD. 2. Cause Of GERD: Stomach Contents Going The Wrong Way Up the One-Way Our digestive system is supposed to be a one-way street. Food enters our stomach where it is broken down so that nutrients can be absorbed before being excreted out via the intestines and colon. Guarding the entrance to our stomach is a ring of muscle fibers called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES prevents swallowed food from moving back up the esophagus and normally remains tightly closed....until we swallow. People with heartburn and GERD have a weakened LES thats allows partly digested stomach contents to leak back up the esophagus - causing symptoms. 3. GERD Symptoms: That Burning Feeling Heartburn is usually felt as a burning pain rising up from the stomach to the esophagus. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn and sometimes: A feeling that food is stuck behind the breastbone Feeling sick after eating Other not-so-common symptoms include: Bringing food back up (regurgitation) Coughing or wheezing Difficulty swallowing Hiccups Hoarseness or change in voice or a sore throat 4. GERD Risk Factors. Why Me? People are more likely to develop heartburn or GERD if they: Are overweight Drink alcohol Smoke Both conditions are more common in pregnancy because the stomach is pushed upwards by the baby. Heartburn and GERD can also be the result of a medical conditions such as scleroderma or a hiatal hernia. Many medications can also exacerbate symptoms. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms worsen or coincided with the start of a new medicine. 5. GERD Mimics: To Worry or Not to Worry? Some other worrying conditions can mimic symptoms of heartburn or GERD. Always see a doctor if this is the first time you have had symptoms or if they have changed in any way. Other symptoms which are a cause for concern include: Coughing spells Difficulty in swallowing Blood specks after you cough, vomit or in your bowel movements Unexplained weight loss. GERD symptoms tend to be worse at night or after bending over, lying down or eating a big meal . Symptoms that persist all day need to be checked by a doctor. 6. Heart or Heartburn? If in Doubt, Check it Out! It is important to realize that symptoms of a heart attack or angina can also mimic symptoms of heartburn or GERD. Even experienced doctors can't always tell the difference. Heart attack symptoms may include: sudden crushing chest pain; back, neck, jaw, stomach, arm pain (especially left arm); sweating, lightheadedness, nausea with chest pain; chest tightness during physical or emotional stress; and/or shortness of breath. The best thing to do is to always seek medical attention if you are not sure. There is no one symptom that distinguishes one from the other. 7. GERD Red Flags: Alert Your Doctor There's a few other factors relating to GERD that doctors call "red flags". If anybody in your family has suffered from gastric cancer in the past, or if you have had a previous stomach ulcer, then see a doctor right away. Medications such as NSAIDs (like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac), corticosteroids ( prednisone ), and iron tablets can aggravate GERD and heartburn so talk with your doctor if you have recently started on these. In addition, tell your doctor about any unusual lumps or bumps you can feel in your stomach. 8. Good GERD Lifestyle Choices If your doctor has diagnosed you with GERD and is satisfied that nothing else is wrong with you then there's a lot you can do to help yourself. Lose weight if you are overweight, stop smoking if you smoke, and cut back on alcohol if you drink. Avoid clothes that are too tight around the waistband and reduce the size of your meals. Stay away from acidic and spicy food and take all medications with a big glass of water. Steer clear of NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen and do not take medicines just before bed. It's best to remain upright for at least 15 minutes after taking any medication. 9. GERD Treatment: Antacids, H2 Blockers, and Proton Pump Inhibitors There are lots of different medicines available to treat GERD and it is best to talk with your pharmacist or doctor about which one is best for you. Over the next three slides we will discuss the use of: Antacids H2 blockers Proton pump inhibitors 10. GERD Treatment: Antacids; Good for Short-Term Occasional Relief Antacids work by neutralizing the stomach acid that causes heartburn and GERD symptoms. They are readily available from drugstores, supermarkets and gas stations and are OK to use for occasional heartburn only (just a few times a month). All antacids are best taken within an hour of eating the offending meal. Brands containing magnesium can cause diarrhea; brands containing calcium or aluminum may cause constipation. They may also affect absorption of other medicines so don't take them at the same time as your regular pills. 11. GERD Treatment: H2 Blockers; Not As Quick Acting But Longer Lasting H2 blockers reduce acid production in the stomach by blocking signals that tell the stomach to make acid. There are four H2 blockers available in the U.S. that work in this way: Ranitidine ( Zantac ) Famotidine ( Pepcid ) Cimetidine ( Tagamet ) Nizatidine ( Axid ) Several can be bought without a prescription at lower doses and are good to use for occasional relief. H2 blockers take about 30 to 90 minutes to start working and some can last up to 24 hours. 12. GERD Treatment: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs); Most Effective But Short Term Use Only PPIs suppress gastric acid secretion by shutting down the stomach proton pumps. This is the final stage of acid secretion which makes PPIs more effective than H2 blockers. PPIs take a bit longer than H2 blockers to start working. Different brands of PPIs include dexlansoprazole ( Dexilant , also available as Dexilant Solutab), esomeprazole ( Nexium ), lansoprazole ( Prevacid ) and omeprazole ( Prilosec ) but generic forms are often cheaper. Over-the-counter versions are available, too. PPI side effects may include headache, stomach upset and certain drug interactions, such as with Plavix . PPIs should only be used for a couple of months, maximum, before gradually tapering off to prevent acid rebound. Long-term use has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease , kidney disease , dementia , and several other adverse outcomes. Zegerid is a combination medicine that contains the PPI omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. A less costly generic version became available in 2016. The sodium bicarbonate provides fast-acting relief from GERD symptoms, whereas the omeprazole component takes longer to work but keeps symptoms at bay for the whole day. Side effects include diarrhea (or in some people, constipation) and symptoms may rebound if stopped suddenly. Not suitable for people on a low salt (sodium) diet. Summary: GERD and Heartburn in 6 Points Always see your doctor for a proper diagnosis if you are having heartburn or GERD symptoms for the first time. Not sure if it is a heart attack or heart burn? Get it checked out right away. Lose weight, stop smoking , and avoid alcohol. Eat smaller meals and remain upright after taking medications. See your doctor if you are self-medicating most days with over-the-counter products. Only use PPIs for a maximum of a few months at a time, unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. Finished: GERD and Heartburn: What Is GERD? NEXT UP FDA-Approved Weight Loss Drugs: Can They Help You? Are the latest weight loss pills the cure-all for the obesity epidemic? Here, review what could help combat the expanding waistline of the nation. 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