GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease)

Question 1

definition

Answer 1

Occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the oesophagus.
This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your oesophagus

Question 2

Epidemiology

Answer 2

Many people experience acid reflux from time to time.
However, when it occurs repeatedly over time, it causes GORD

Question 3

Aetiology

Answer 3

If the sphincter does not relax as it should or weakens, then stomach acid can flow back into your oesophagus.

This constant backwash of acid irritates the lining of your oesophagus, often causing it to become inflamed.

Increased abdominal pressure (pregnancy) can predispose GORD

Question 4

Risk factors

Answer 4

Obesity

Pregnancy

Fat, chocolate, coffee or alcohol ingestion

Large meals

Cigarette smoking

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

Epigastric burning sensation (heart burn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night or when you are lying down

Backwash (regurgitation) of food or sour liquid

Upper abdominal or chest pain

Dysphagia

Odynophagia

Sensation of a lump in your throat

May also experience:
– An ongoing cough
– inflammation of the vocal cord (laryngitis)
– new or worsening asthma
—- if someone is suffering with these, you MUST RULE OF CVS

Question 6

Prognosis

Answer 6

The risk of recurrence of untreated GORD symptoms is 50%, and the lifetime recurrence is 80%