GERD Flashcards
What are the 2 classifications of GERD?
NERD
ERD
What is the presence of GERD symptoms without erosions on endoscopic exam?
NERD (non-erosive reflux disease)
What is the presence of GERD symptoms with erosions present
ERD (erosive reflux disease)
What is GERD?
chronic symptoms or mucosal damage due to abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus
What is the most frequently reported symptom of GERD?
heartburn
Which patient populations are most likely to get GERD?
- > 40 y/o
- ~50% of pregnant women
- infants
What are risk factors for GERD?
- genetics
- obesity
- alcohol use beyond moderation
- smoking
- excess caffeine
What are the key factors in development of GERD?
- decrease in lower esophagal sphincter pressure/ tone
- decreased clearance of gastric contents from esophagus
- decrease mucosal resistance
- decreased gastric emptying
- pH < 4 of gastric fluid
- anatomic features (hiatal hernia)
Why does a hiatal hernia increase GERD incidence?
large opening for gastric contents to move through
What are typical symptoms of GERD?
- heart burn >/= 2 times/ week on regular basis
- regurgitation
- belching
- hypersalivation
What are extraesophageal (atypical) symptoms?
- chronic cough
- asthma like symptoms
- laryngitis/ hoarseness
- recurrent sore throat
What are complicated symptoms that need refered on?
- Dysphagia (trouble swallowing)
- Odynophagia (painful swallowing)
- bleeding
- weight loss
What are aggravating factors?
- laying down (recumbency)
- increased intraabdominal pressure
- decreased gastric motility
- decreased LES tone
- foods and medications that decrease LES tone
- direct mucosal irritation
What medications decrease LES tone?
Anticholinergics
Benzos
Caffeine
Dihydropyridine CCBs
Estrogen
Alcohol
Nicotine
What medications are direct irritants to the esophagus?
Oral bisphosphonates
ASA
Iron
NSAIDs
Potassium