Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease : A Literature Review

Ms. Le is a 25 year-old female, with a height of 5’0” and weights 160 lbs. She described herself as not very active who does not regularly exercise and consumes a high amount of fast food and a few alcoholic beverages weekly. She is currently taking prescription medication called Caziant as a contraceptive and moderately takes ibuprofen for headaches and heartburns. She has a medical history of vomiting, heartburn, chest pains, and sever tooth erosion. Due to the many examinations that Ms. Le underwent such as the endoscopy and ph-monitoring test, she was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease also known as GERD.

GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter. When the lower esophageal sphincter gets weak, the acid backed up in the esophagus causing pain and discomfort. Heart burn is a common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and it is caused by the irritation of the stomach acid (DeBruyne & Pinna, 2012). This can create a burning discomfort in the upper abdomen.

The human body is a complex system that often malfunctions. Many people believe that numerous diseases are a natural reflection of the body aging and cannot be avoided. The goal of my paper is to change this perception and demonstrate that healthy eating and active lifestyle can result in a healthy body at any age. Many diseases that occur in the digestive system or as a cause of complications in the digestive system are not preventable. There are a small amount of diseases that can be not only prevented, but also corrected by eating the proper nutrition or maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as Diverticular Disease and Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease.

     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.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that inhabits the human stomach and has been linked as a risk factor for chronic gastritis, ulcers, and gastric cancer. H. pylori is able to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach due to its urease enzyme which converts the urea in gastric juice to alkaline ammonia and carbon dioxide. Infection with H. pylori is generally contracted during childhood and can persist indefinitely if untreated. Possible risk factors for H. pylori infection include poor diet, poor hygiene, density, low socioeconomic status (SES), and family history of gastric disease. Studies have found an increased risk of infection with consuming food prepared under unsanitary conditions and a reduced risk with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Poor hygiene

Esophageal carcinoma, the eighth most common cancer in the world, includes squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (Sun, Lin, Chen, Liang, &Hsieh, 2015; American Cancer Society, 2015). Squamous cell carcinoma is simply damaged esophageal cells; however, adenocarcinoma occurs when glandular cells replace squamous cells in the esophagus (American Cancer Society, 2015). While squamous cell carcinoma was once the most common form of esophageal carcinoma in the United States, adenocarcinoma has taken its place with speculation placed towards the increase of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (Baldwin, 2015). These two manifestations of cancer account for approximately 90% of diagnosed esophageal cancers, while the remaining 10% of esophageal

GERD is another name for heartburn. There is a backflow of gastric and duodenal content that past the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) into the esophagus. As reflux of gastric acid causes acute epigastric pain after eating a meal. The pain can radiate to the person arm and then chest. The LES usually retains sufficient pressure around the lesser end of the esophagus to close it and prevent reflex. As the sphincter relaxes with each swallow, the food empty into the stomach. High acidity in the stomach triggers irritation and pain as the content enters the esophagus causing reflux esophagitis. In GERD, the sphincter is open, due to incompetent LES pressure or increase pressure within the stomach exceeds LES pressure. The pressure in the stomach propels the content into the esophagus.

Control gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). See your doctor about getting GERD under control, it can be controlled early enough to possibly prevent esophageal cancer.

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.

GERD is known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It is best defined as a back flow of gastric or duodenal contents or both into the esophagus and past the lower esophageal sphincter. It can cause acute epigastric pain (heartburn). The pathophysiology of GERD is multifactorial, involving transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations and other lower esophageal sphincter pressure abnormalities. As a result, reflux of acid, bile, pepsin and pancreatic enzymes occur, leading to esophageal mucosal injury (Gastroesophageal Reflux disease, long-term care, 2017). The degree of mucosal injury is based on the amount and concentration of refluxed gastric acid, proteolytic enzymes and bile acids. Due to the lower esophageal sphincter being dysfunctional, the esophageal motility is slowed, leading to decreased clearance of acidic material.

Commonly known as heartburn or reflux, is a condition where reflux of the gastric content into the oesophagus leads to symptoms which significantly impact a person's quality of life. Gastroesophageal reflux disease gerd is the most prevalent acid related disorder and is associated with significant impairment of health-related quality of life. Gastroesophageal reflux disease gerd occurs when acid and food in the stomach back up into the esophagus.Gerd often occurs when the lower muscle (sphincter) of the esophagus does not close properly. The sphincter normally opens to let food into the stomach. It then closes to keep food and stomach acid in the stomach. If the sphincter does not close properly, stomach acid and food back up (reflux) into the esophagus. The following may increase your risk for gerd. Gerd may be associated with several extra esophageal syndromes such as chronic cough, asthma, laryngitis, oropharyngeal ulceration and dental erosions. Available evidence indicates that therapy response rates in gerd are related to the degree of acid suppression achieved. Having an appropriate discussion with a physician is key to understanding the condition, available treatment options and the degree to which acid suppression can be achieved.

Ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Crohn's disease are all inflammatory bowel disease; that is an umbrella term for a group of disorders in which the intestines become inflamed. An ulcerative colitis is when the colon and large intestines are affected. The symptoms come and go, but typically they are severe stomach cramping, diarrhea, and bloody stools. It is hard to decide if it is a serious medical condition because it can go into remission easily. It is treated with decreasing foods that are hard to digest, taking probiotics, steroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Crohn's disease is characterized by intense stomach pain, and occurs in the lower right area. It includes diarrhea, bleeding, anemia, and even fatigue. Gastroesophageal

Since then, H. pylori has been almost completely eradicated in western countries, being placed onto the endangered species list. Unfortunately in developing countries, gastric and duodenal ulcers remain huge problems. The lack of access to antibiotics and the emergence of antibacterial resistant strains have greatly hindered efforts to cure the diseases. The controversy is not over, however, as 80% of people infected with H. pylori never develop any gastrointestinal diseases. We need to thoroughly research the bacterium and exactly how it works in order to fully understand the role of H. pylori in stomach diseases. With that information, we will have the means to combat the diseases caused by the bacterium and the lack of the

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), commonly known as Acid Reflux, is a disease that is now affecting a lot of teenagers over the world. GERD is a heartburn caused by a leaky valve at the base of your esophagus that allows stomach acid to regurgitate (Livestrong). GERD is also caused by a bacteria found in your stomach known as Helicobacter Pylori. H. Pylori attacks the lining of your stomach and later when it has done enough damage, acidic fluid is able to get through the lining and into your esophagus, causing a heartburn (WebMD). Most people do acquire h. pylori during their childhood but most only develop its symptoms later on in life and some are never affected by the bacteria, never developing any symptoms.

First, having gastro-esophageal reflux disease, this involves the stomach acids traveling back into the lower part of the esophagus and slowly deteriorating the muscle lining of the lower third of the esophagus. Therefore, gastro-esophageal reflux disease mostly causes the adenocarcinoma. Other causes may be smoking tobacco, drinking excessive alcohol, obesity, lack of fruit and vegetables in your diet. In order to lower your chances of getting esophageal cancer, you can eat more green and yellow vegetables, and perhaps a little coffee. The main thing is to live a healthy lifestyle.