GORD and Barrett's oesophagus Flashcards
what can prolonged GORD (reflux) cause?
1) oesophagitis
2) benign oesophageal stricutre
3) Barrett’s oesophagus (pre-malignant)
what can be the causes of GORD? (11)
Alcohol Smoking Pregnancy Obesity Drugs = tricylcic, anticholinergics and nitrates H. Pylori Delayed gastric emptying Gastric acid hypersecretion Lower oesaphageal sphincter hypotension Oesophageal dysmotility (e.g. systemic sclerosis) Hiatus Hernia
what is GERD?
retrograde flow of stomach contents into the oesophagus which causes irritation to epithelial linings.
what are risk factors for GERD? (5)
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Stress
- Obesity
- Anatomical abnormalities of the esophagogastric junction (e.g. hiatal hernia)
what are the symptoms of GERD? (10)
- Retrosternal burning pain (heartburn) – worsens while lying down at night and after eating
- Pressure sensation in the chest
- Belching, regurgitation
- Chronic non-productive cough and nocturnal cough
- Halitosis
- Dysphagia
- Feeling of increased pressure
- Triggers:
- Supine position
- Smoking
what are oesophageal symptoms of GERD? (5)
- Heartburn (burning, retrosternal discomfort after meals, lying, stooping, or straining, relieved by antacids)
- Belching
- Acid brash (acid or bile regurgitation)
- Water brash (increase salivation: my mouth fills with saliva)
- Odynophagia (painful swallowing e.g. from oesophagitis or ulceration)
What are extra-oesophageal symptoms of GERD? (4)
- Nocturnal asthma
- Chronic cough
- Laryngitis (hoarseness, throat clearing)
- Sinusitis • Nocturnal asthma
- Chronic cough
- Laryngitis (hoarseness, throat clearing)
- Sinusitis
what are the indications for upper GI endoscopy? (5)
• Age > 55 years • Symptoms > 4 weeks or persistent symptoms despite treatment • Dysphagia • Relapsing symptoms • Weight loss ALARM symptoms
what are the lifestyle treatments for GERD?
- Weight loss
- Smoking cessation
- Small, regular meals
- Reduce hot drinks
- Alcohol
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Fizzy drinks
- Spicy foods
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Avoid eating <3h before bed
- Raise the bed head
- Normalise body weight
what drugs can be given to treat GERD?
- Antacids, e.g. magnesium trisilicate mixture
- Alginates e.g. Gaviscon relieve symptoms
- Add an H2 blocker and/or twice daily PPI
- Avoid drugs affecting oesophageal motility (nitrates, anticholinergics, Ca2+ channel blockers – relax the lower sphincter)
- Or that damage mucosa (NSAIDs, K+ salt, bisphosphonates
- Standard dose of PPI for at least 8 weeks.
what drugs affect oesophageal motility and how do they affect it? (3)
They relax the lower sphincter.
- Nitrates
- Anticholinergics
- Ca2+ channel blockers
what drugs damage the mucosa? (3)
- NSAIDs
- K+ salts
- Bisphonates
what does surgery aim to do?
increase the resting lower oesophageal sphincter pressure
what are the types of surgeries you can do?
• laparoscopic Niseen fundoplication, or novel options including laparoscopic insertion of amagentic bead band or radiofrequency-induced hypertrophy)
when do you consider surgery?
in severe GORD (confirm by pH monitoring / manomotery)
or if drugs not working