Introduction to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder which affects millions of Americans annually and is one of the most common reasons for patients to seek medical advice or self-medicate with over-the-counter antacid medications for the relief of GERD symptoms. Gastroesophageal reflux disease may manifest in many different ways with heartburn being the most common symptom. There has been an increasing awareness that nocturnal GERD occurs in nearly one-half of patients with GERD and can be as debilitating as daytime heartburn. Most patients who experience heartburn describe a discomfort in the chest or abdomen that may or may not be associated with ingestion of food. More recent evidence implicates atypical GERD as a contributing factor to other disorders such as laryngitis and asthma. Furthermore, nocturnal GERD may manifest with disorders in patients' ability to experience a restful night of sleep and, thereby, impair next day cognitive function.

Complications that may be associated with chronic GERD include:

• Esophageal scarring or "stricture"
• Bleeding resulting from ulceration or erosion of the esophagus
• Barrett's esophagus - abnormal changes in the lining of the esophagus that increases the risk for developing a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.