GERD Case Studies

LB is a 52-year-old white woman who presents to the ED with esophageal burning, nausea, and vomiting. (This is a real case, but some identifying details have been changed.) A few weeks ago, she had an injection of cortisone in her left knee for pain and was prescribed naproxen (Naprosyn) twice a day for three weeks until the swelling subsided; she took the medication as prescribed, with food. Since then, she describes feeling a burning sensation in her esophagus. At first she attributed the discomfort to her history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But then the feeling worsened a few days ago—she said it felt like the naproxen was “sitting in my throat”—and she felt no relief with omeprazole (Prilosec). The following morning, about

This condition is characterized by symptoms and complications that result from reflux or back of gastric content into the esophagus that extent also into the oral cavity or even the lungs. Common signs and symptoms of this condition include heartburn( burning/stinging), and does note that radiates to the back such as in the case of Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD). Furthermore, other symptoms patients may experience are a chronic cough, bronchospasm, chest pain not related to a cardiomyopathy, hoarseness, early satiety, abdominal fullness, bloating with belching. Complications related to this disorder are closely linked to esophageal ulceration, hematemesis, melena, stricture development(Dains, Baumann, & Scheibel,

     In this article, you are informed about a disease that is occurring more often in our society. It is commonly referred to as “heartburn” but is more appropriately named acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Most people suffer from this disease, but think nothing of it. Perhaps they have felt it after a big meal, lying down after eating, during pregnancy, or even when bending over. Most people feel that GERD occurs after eating spicy foods, when in fact the major cause of GERD is fatty foods and the quantity of foods eaten.

When suffering from GERD, it is important to know how to adjust in order to decrease the likelihood from suffering from signs and symptoms of this disease. A person with GERD should try to figure out what kind of food triggers the reflux. There are many foods that may irritate our stomach, for example, coffee, alcohols, tomatoes, and fatty foods, however, each and every one of us may be sensitive for a particular food/beverage and once we find out what it is we have to eliminate it. It is also crucial to decrease the size of our meal. If we are prone to acid reflux, it is important that we don’t lie flat for three hours after we have eaten a meal or snack.

Heartburn causes pain in the center of the chest. Many people mistake the pain for a problem with the heart. In severe cases, it is even mistaken for a heart attack. In truth, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart, and its only relationship the general location of the pain. Instead, heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus caused by stomach acid.

Is the pain worse after eating a meal? If yes what type of meal is it? ( r/o GERD) burning (can indicate GERD), stabbing pain

GERD disease, commonly referred to as GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the lining (esophagitis) although visible signs of inflammation occur in a minority of patients. The regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach. (Pepsin is an enzyme that begins the digestion of proteins in the stomach.) The refluxed liquid also may contain bile that has backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. The first part of the small intestine attached to the stomach. Acid is believed to be the most injurious component of the refluxed liquid.

As we get older, it gets harder for the valve to close tightly due to a weakened diaphragm. So this allows acid and partially digested food to splash back into the esophagus. As such, continues occurrence of reflux would result to the gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Gastro for the gastric system, and esophageal for the esophagus.3 The hole can also increase in size leading to the formation of a hiatus.1 When this happens, part of the stomach bulges through the hole leading to the hiatal hernia which

First of all, explained the most frequent clinical manifestation of GERD, which is a heartburn, it occurs 30 to 60 minutes after eating. Therefore, patient should: eating smaller portions, consuming less fat, avoiding laying down for at least two hours after eating, avoiding snacks before bedtime, wearing loose clothing, elevating the head of the bed about six inches, avoiding alcohol, particularly red wine., tobacco, and foods that trigger symptoms such as black pepper, garlic, raw onions, and other spicy foods, chocolate, citrus fruits and products, such as oranges and orange juice, coffee and caffeinated drinks, including tea and soda, peppermint and tomatoes (Badillo & Francis,

Acid reflux happens when acid in the stomach disgorges up into the esophagus. Reflux is the reason for heartburn. In any case, you may feel no burning sensation at all when reflux happens.

The build up of stomach acid may cause irritation and excess pain to individuals. Luckily, antacids being a weak base can help relieve the symptoms and pain. Antacids, such as Gelusil, Medi-Firs, Alka Seltzer, and Alcalak are neutralizing agents of acids that become helpful to the human body when heartburn occurs. Heartburn, also known as acid reflux is a common medical issue that occurs when hydrochloric acid (HCl) from the stomach moves backward along the digestive track to the esophagus (located within the throat). This reverse flow of fluids causes a burning sensation due to and possible sour taste that is characteristic of acids [1].

Acid reflux is when a little bit of the acid content in the stomach tends to flow up into the esophagus which then goes into the gullet.The gullet moves food down from the mouth. Acid refluxs are commonly thought to be the same as heart burns but acid refluxs are quite different.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a very common disease. Most commonly individuals’ experience some sort of gastroesophageal reflux, even with the efficient barrier existing between the stomach and the esophagus. Studies have shown GERD-related symptoms in a significant proportion of adults, neonates and individuals with obesity. The high occurrence of GERD is due to the close proximity of acid and pepsin secretions occurring at the esophageal junction. The mucosa of the stomach is columnar and can withstand low pH and high proteolytic activity of gastric acid and pepsin. While the mucosa of the esophagus is readily damaged and consumed by gastric acid and pepsin. The esophagus is cleared by peristalsis and salivary production with a valve

Lack of stomach acid is the true cause of most GERD and indigestion symptoms! When patients feel burning, this indicates stomach contents have passed back into the esophagus since the LES valve is still open. The contents are still more acidic (around a pH of 4-6) than what was just ingested, but not acidic enough to signal the LES valve to close (pH of 1-2). The esophageal lining does not have the protective lining that the stomach has to handle acid contents which results in the burning sensation. Over time, this can create esophagitis and chronically can result in Barrett’s esophagitis and increased cancer risk due to the reoccurring damage to the cells in this area.

Many people have a hiatal hernia with no symptoms. The larger the hernia, the more likely that you will have symptoms. In some cases, a hiatal hernia allows stomach acid to flow back into the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus). This may cause heartburn symptoms. Severe heartburn symptoms may mean that you have developed a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).