Submitted by Illinois Bariatric Center
The terms heartburn, GERD, and acid reflux are often used interchangeably. However, they actually have very different meanings. Acid reflux is a very common medical condition that may or may not be serious. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the chronic, more severe form of acid reflux. Heartburn is a symptom of GERD and acid reflux.
People who experience heartburn at least two to three times a week may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Heartburn, the most common symptom of GERD, is estimated to affect 10 million adults in the United States on a daily basis. Heartburn is experienced as a burning sensation in the center of the chest, which sometimes spreads to the throat. There also may be an acid taste in the throat.
Acid reflux occurs when the stomach contents reflux or back up into the esophagus or mouth. Most episodes are brief and do not cause bothersome symptoms or complications. Acid reflux becomes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when it causes bothersome symptoms or injury to the esophagus. The amount of acid reflux required to cause GERD varies.
In general, damage to the esophagus is more likely to occur when acid refluxes frequently, the reflux is very acidic, or the esophagus is unable to clear away the acid quickly. The most common symptoms associated with acid reflux are heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and trouble swallowing. The treatments of GERD are designed to prevent one or all of these symptoms from occurring.
Acid reflux is usually diagnosed based upon symptoms and the response to treatment. In people who have symptoms of acid reflux but no evidence of complications, treatment with lifestyle changes and in some cases, medication, are recommended first. Further testing may be required when the diagnosis is unclear or if there are more serious signs or symptoms as described below.
- Stomach pain
- Non-burning chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing or food getting stuck
- Painful swallowing
- Persistent laryngitis/hoarseness
- Persistent sore throat
- Chronic cough, new onset asthma, or asthma only at night
- Regurgitation of foods/fluids; taste of acid in the throat
- Sense of a lump in the throat
- Worsening dental disease
- Recurrent lung infections
- Chronic sinusitis
- Waking up with a choking sensation
It is important to rule out any potentially life-threatening problems that can cause symptoms similar to those of GERD. This is particularly true with chest pain, since chest pain can also be a symptom of heart disease. The vast majority of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease will not develop serious complications, particularly when reflux is adequately treated. However, a number of serious complications can arise in patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease including damage to the esophagus, lung and throat problems, and cancer.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is treated according to its severity. If it is a chronic condition, and symptoms are not controlled by medication and lifestyle changes, surgery is sometimes an option. However, there is a new method available for treating acid reflux that does not involve medication or traditional surgery called the LINX System.
The LINX System is comprised of a small ring of titanium beads, each with magnetic cores. About the size of a quarter, the LINX is placed around the lower end of the esophagus, where it joins the stomach. When food passes down the esophagus into the stomach, the natural action of swallowing breaks the magnetic attraction between the beads, allowing the food to pass. Once the food passes, however, the magnetic bond closes the ring again, preventing the stomach acid from exiting the stomach.
If you think you have acid reflux or GERD, you should see your doctor as these conditions can lead to more serious health problems over time. For chronic sufferers, the LINX System can provide just the barrier of protection they need from acid reflux.
For more information on the LINX system for acid reflux, the ORBERA™ Managed Weight Loss Program or LAP-BAND® surgery, you may contact Dr. Sidney Rohrscheib at the Illinois Bariatric Center at 217-935-7037. Illinois Bariatric Center is one of the few practices in Central Illinois that is qualified to offer the non-surgical LINX and ORBERA systems.