Ch. 46 Flashcards
GERD stands for
gastroesophageal reflux disease
most common upper GI disorder in the US
GERD
__ % of adults in North America have reflux disorder
18-28%
GERD occurs as a result of
backward flow of the stomach contents into esophagus
causes of GERD
- no single causative agent
- NG tube
- genetic connection: fam hx
- lifestyle: alc, caffeine, smoking
- Barrett’s epithelium
Barret’s esophagus
- With Barretts esophagus, body substitutes Barrett epithelium instead of normal squamous cell
- New tissue is more resistant to acid, but is premalignant, increased risk for esophageal cancer
normal healing of GERD (type of epithelium)
Normal healing of GERD with squamous cell epithelium
GERD prevention
- healthy eating habits
- limit fried, fatty, spicy foods and caffeine
- sit upright for one hour after eating
GERD assessment: history (sx)
- heartburn
- morning hoarseness
- coughing or wheezing at night
- when do they experience these symptoms? usually report 1-2 hrs after meal
GERD assessment: s/sx
- may be asymptomatic at first
- dyspepsia, dysphagia
- auscultate lungs for crackles (should have clear sounds with GERD, listen for crackles to ensure food is not backing up into the lungs)
GERD assessment: psychosocial
- preference of what patient likes to eat
GERD assessment: diagnostics
- upper endoscopy (UGD) (conscious sedation used, need vs monitor, someone to drive home; scope into esophagus; more invasive but confirmatory dx)
- ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring: 24 hr reading of the pH levels (how acidic the esophagus is; no sedation)
priority patient problems of GERD
- potential for compromised nutrition status due to dietary selection
- acute pain due to reflux of gastric contents
GERD interventions: nutrition
- balanced nutrition
GERD interventions: for minimizing pain
non-surgical mangement:
- lifestyle changes: no caffeine, alc, smoking, fried/spicy foods
- drug therapy
- endoscopic therapies
surgical management
Acid reflux diet: foods to avoid
- coffee
- wine
- fast food
- soft drinks
- tomatoes (acidic)
- dairy
- spices
- peppermint
- citrus (oranges, grapefruit)
- chocolate
- garlic
- onion
Acid reflux diet: foods that are okay to eat
- ginger
- leafy greens
- brown rice
- coconut
- banana
- pear
- apple
- avocado
- fennel
- celery
- berries
- melon
GERD care coordination
- make appropriate dietary selections
- adhere to drug therapy
- teach signs of esophageal restriction and Barrett esophagus
- RDN
- local support groups
GERD meds include (classes)
- proton pump inhibitors
- H2 receptor blockers
- antacids