GERD Flashcards
What is gastroesophageal reflux?
Backward flow of gastric contents into esophagus causing heartburn
What is a sign of poor digestion?
GERD
What percentage of adults does GERD affect?
15-20%
Is GERD always symptomatic?
NO. Sometimes it is asymptomatic, or “silent pain”
What muscle at the top of the stomach is affected by GERD?
The sphincter muscle
True or false.
GERD increases with age.
True
What kind of cancer could GERD lead to?
Esophageal cancer.
What 3 things help maintain pressure differences between stomach and esophagus?
- diaphragm
- lower esophageal sphincter
- the location of gastroesophageal junction
What two organs help prevent back flow?
The diaphragm and sphincter.
What are the contributing factors to increased pressure in the stomach?
- increased gastric volume
- certain body positions
- pressure from obesity or tight clothing
What happens to the lower esophageal sphincter to cause GERD?
Transient relaxation and incompetency.
What are the risk factors for GERD?
Obesity, older age, Excessive alcohol, smoking, hiatal hernia (stomach hernia), diabetes, pregnancy, Diet: fatty/fried foods, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, peppermint, spicy foods
What are clinical manifestations of GERD in adults?
- heartburn after eating, bending over, reclining
- cough
- flatulence
- excessive belching
- hoarseness
- pain in swallowing, throwing up in mouth, atypical chest pain
What are the clinical manifestations of GERD in infants?
- spitting up
- forceful vomiting
True and false.
GERD is fairly common in infants.
True.
What are the clinical manifestations of GERD in children?
Poor weight gain, recurrent vomiting, irritability, poor eating, arching of the back (b/c of abdominal pain), sore throat, asthma, respiratory involvement
What are the complications of GERD?
- Erosive esophagitis
- esophageal strictures ( build- up of scar tissue)(may lead to dysphagia)
- Barrett’s esophagitis
Explain Barrett’s esophagitis.
Erosion of the esophageal lining.
What is erosive esophagitis?
Inflammation that damages the tube running from the throat to the stomach.
Explain esophageal strictures.
Narrowing of the esophagus due to inflammation from damage and scar tissue.
What are some ways to prevent GERD?
- eat smaller, more frequent meals
- no acid-producing foods
- no bed time eating
- elevate HOB to reduce lower esophageal sphincter pressure
- no tight fitting clothes
- no smoking or alcohol
- maintain healthy body weight
What is a barium swallow test?
Swallowing barium sulfate which is a metallic compound that shows up on x-rays and helps view abnormalities in esophagus and stomach.
What is a EGD?
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or Upper Endoscopy
What are the diagnostic tests for GERD?
- barium swallow
- upper endoscopy or ECG
- Bernstein test
- 24-hr ambulatory ph monitoring
- esophageal manometry
What is the Bernstein test?
NG tube placed into the esophagus, lightly acidic substance is added, if it burns then you know there is erosion.