Also called GERD. Esophageal damage caused by stomach acid.Encyclopedia Entry for Gastroesophageal Reflux :Gastroesophageal reflux - discharge. You have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a condition in which food or liquid travels backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach). You may have had tests to help diagnose your GERD or complications you have from it.You can make many lifestyle changes to help treat your symptoms. Avoid foods that cause problems for you. DO NOT drink alcohol. Avoid drinks and foods that have caffeine, such as soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Avoid decaffeinated coffee. It also increases the level of acid in your stomach. Avoid high-acid fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, pineapple, tomatoes, or tomato-based dishes (pizza, chili, and spaghetti) if you find that they cause heartburn. Avoid items with spearmint or peppermint. Other lifestyle tips that may make your symptoms better are: Eat smaller meals, and eat more often. Lose weight, if you need to. If you smoke or chew tobacco, try to quit. Your health care provider can help. Exercise, but not right after eating. Reduce your stress and watch for stressful, tense times. Stress can bother your reflux problem. Bend at the knees, not your waist, to pick things up. Avoid wearing clothes that put pressure on your waist or stomach. Do not lie down for 3 to 4 hours after eating. Avoid medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain. Take any of your medicines with plenty of water. When you start a new medicine, remember to ask if it will make your heartburn worse. Try these tips before going to sleep: DO NOT skip meals or eat a large meal for dinner to make up for missed meals. Avoid late night snacks. DO NOT lie down right after you eat. Remain upright for 3 to 4 hours before you go to bed. Raise your bed 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) at the head of your bed, using blocks. You can also use a wedge support that raises the top half of your body when you are in bed. (Extra pillows that raise only your head may not help.).Antacids can help neutralize your stomach acid. They do not help to treat the irritation in your esophagus. Common side effects of antacids include diarrhea or constipation. Other over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs can treat GERD. They work more slowly than antacids but give you longer relief. Your provider can tell you how to take these drugs. There are two different types of these drugs: H2 antagonists: famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and nizatidine (Axid) Proton pump inhibitors (PPI): omeprazole (Prilosec or Zegarid), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), rabeprazole (AcipHex), and pantoprazole (Protonix).You will have follow-up visits with your provider to check your esophagus. You may also need to have dental check-ups. GERD can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away.Call your provider if you have: Problems or pain with swallowing Choking A full feeling after eating a small meal portion Weight loss that cannot be explained Vomiting Loss of appetite Chest pain Bleeding, blood in your stools, or dark, tarry looking stools Hoarseness.Peptic esophagitis - discharge; Reflux esophagitis - discharge; GERD - discharge; Heartburn - chronic - discharge.Gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease.Falk GW, Katzka DA. Diseases of the esophagus.Encyclopedia Entry for Gastroesophageal Reflux :Gastroesophageal reflux disease - children. When we eat, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus. A ring of muscle fibers in the lower esophagus prevents swallowed food from moving back up. When this ring of muscle does not close all the way, stomach contents can leak back into the esophagus. This is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux. In infants, this ring of muscles has not fully developed, and this can cause reflux. This is why babies often spit up after feeding. Reflux in infants goes away once this muscle develops, often by age 1 year. When symptoms continue or become worse, it may be a sign of GERD. Certain factors can lead to GERD in children, including: Birth defects, such as hiatal hernia , a condition in which part of the stomach extends through an opening of the diaphragm into the chest. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. Obesity. Certain medicines, such as some medicines used for asthma. Secondhand smoke. Surgery of the upper abdomen. Brain disorders, such as cerebral palsy. Genetics -- GERD tends to run in families.Common symptoms of GERD in children and teens include: Nausea, bringing food back up (regurgitation), or perhaps vomiting. Reflux and heartburn. Younger children may not be able to pinpoint the pain as well and instead describe widespread belly or chest pain. Choking, chronic cough, or wheezing. Hiccups or burps. Not wanting to eat, eating only a small amount, or avoiding certain foods. Weight loss or not gaining weight. Feeling that food is stuck behind the breastbone or pain with swallowing. Hoarseness or a change in voice.Your child may not need any tests if the symptoms are mild. A test called a barium swallow or upper GI may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. In this test, your child will swallow a chalky substance to highlight the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of his small intestine. It can show if liquid is backing up from the stomach into the esophagus or if anything is blocking or narrowing these areas. If the symptoms do not improve, or they come back after the child has been treated with medicines, the health care provider may perform a test. One test is called an upper endoscopy (EGD). The test: Is done with a small camera (flexible endoscope) that is inserted down the throat Examines the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine The provider may also perform tests to: Measure how often stomach acid enters esophagus Measure the pressure inside the lower part of the esophagus.Lifestyle changes can often help treat GERD successfully. They are more likely to work for children with milder symptoms or symptoms that do not occur often. Lifestyle changes mainly include: Losing weight, if overweight Wearing clothes that are loose around the waist Sleeping with the head of the bed slightly raised, for children with nighttime symptoms Not lying down for 3 hours after eating The following diet changes may help if a food appears to be causing symptoms: Avoiding food with too much sugar or foods that are very spicy Avoiding chocolate, peppermint, or drinks with caffeine Avoiding acidic drinks such as colas or orange juice Eating smaller meals more often throughout the day Talk with your child's provider before limiting fats. The benefit of reducing fats in children is not as well proven. It's vital to make sure children have the proper nutrients for healthy growth. Parents or caretakers who smoke should quit smoking. Never smoke around children. Secondhand smoke can cause GERD in children. If your child's provider says it's OK to do so, you can give your child over-the-counter (OTC) acid suppressors. They help reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach. These medicines work slowly, but relieve the symptoms for a longer period. They include: Proton pump inhibitors H2 blockers Your child's provider may also suggest using antacids along with other medicines. Do not give your child any of these medicines without first checking with the provider. If these treatment methods fail to manage symptoms, anti-reflux surgery may be an option for children with severe symptoms. For example, surgery may be considered in children who develop breathing problems. Talk with your child's provider about what options may be best for your child.Most children respond well to treatment and to lifestyle changes. However, many children need to continue taking medicines to control their symptoms. Children with GERD are more likely to have problems with reflux and heartburn as adults.Complications of GERD in children may include: Asthma that might get worse Damage to the lining of the esophagus, which may cause scarring and narrowing Ulcer in the esophagus (rare).Call your child's provider if symptoms do not improve with lifestyle changes. Also call if the child has these symptoms: Bleeding Choking (coughing, shortness of breath) Feeling full quickly when eating Frequent vomiting Hoarseness Loss of appetite Trouble swallowing or pain with swallowing Weight loss.You can help reduce risk factors for GERD in children by taking these steps: Help your child stay at a healthy weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Never smoke around your child. Keep a smoke-free home and car. If you smoke, quit.Peptic esophagitis - children; Reflux esophagitis - children; GERD - children; Heartburn - chronic - children; Dyspepsia - GERD - children.Khan S, Orenstein SR. Gastroesophageal reflux disease.Encyclopedia Entry for Gastroesophageal Reflux :Gastroesophageal reflux disease. When you eat, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus. A ring of muscle fibers in the lower esophagus prevents swallowed food from moving back up. These muscle fibers are called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When this ring of muscle does not close all the way, stomach contents can leak back into the esophagus. This is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux. Reflux may cause symptoms. Harsh stomach acids can also damage the lining of the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease The risk factors for reflux include: Use of alcohol (possibly) Hiatal hernia (a condition in which part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm, which is the muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities) Obesity Pregnancy Scleroderma Smoking Reclining within 3 hours after eating Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux can be brought on or made worse by pregnancy. Symptoms can also be caused by certain medicines, such as: Anticholinergics (for example, sea sickness medicine) Bronchodilators for asthma Calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure Dopamine-active drugs for Parkinson disease Progestin for abnormal menstrual bleeding or birth control Sedatives for insomnia or anxiety Tricyclic antidepressants Talk to your health care provider if you think one of your medicines may be causing heartburn. Never change or stop taking a medicine without first talking to your provider. Heartburn Watch this video about: Heartburn.Common symptoms of GERD include: Feeling that food is stuck behind the breastbone Heartburn or a burning pain in the chest Nausea after eating Less common symptoms are: Bringing food back up (regurgitation) Cough or wheezing Difficulty swallowing Hiccups Hoarseness or change in voice Sore throat Symptoms may get worse when you bend over or lie down, or after you eat. Symptoms may also be worse at night.You may not need any tests if your symptoms are mild. If your symptoms are severe or they come back after you have been treated, your doctor may perform a test called an upper endoscopy (EGD). This is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. It is done with a small camera (flexible endoscope) that is inserted down the throat. You may also need one or more of the following tests: A test that measures how often stomach acid enters the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach (called the esophagus) A test to measure the pressure inside the lower part of the esophagus ( esophageal manometry ) A positive stool occult blood test may diagnose bleeding that is coming from the irritation in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.You can make many lifestyle changes to help treat your symptoms. Other tips include: If you are overweight or obese, in many cases, losing weight can help. Raise the head of the bed if your symptoms get worse at night. Have your dinner 2 to 3 hours before going to sleep. Avoid drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve pain. Take all of your medicines with plenty of water. When your provider gives you a new medicine, ask whether it will make your heartburn worse. You may use over-the-counter antacids after meals and at bedtime, although the relief may not last very long. Common side effects of antacids include diarrhea or constipation. Other over-the-counter and prescription medicines can treat GERD. They work more slowly than antacids, but give you longer relief. Your pharmacist, doctor, or nurse can tell you how to take these medicines. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) decrease the amount of acid produced in your stomach. H2 blockers also lower the amount of acid released in the stomach. Anti-reflux surgery may be an option for people whose symptoms do not go away with lifestyle changes and medicines. Heartburn and other symptoms should improve after surgery. But you may still need to take medicines for your heartburn. There are also new therapies for reflux that can be performed through an endoscope (a flexible tube passed through the mouth into the stomach).Most people respond to lifestyle changes and medicines. However, many people need to continue taking medicines to control their symptoms.Complications may include: Worsening of asthma A change in the lining of the esophagus that can increase the risk of cancer ( Barrett esophagus ) Bronchospasm (irritation and spasm of the airways due to acid) Long-term (chronic) cough or hoarseness Dental problems Ulcer in the esophagus Stricture (a narrowing of the esophagus due to scarring).Call your provider if symptoms do not improve with lifestyle changes or medicine. Also call if you have: Bleeding Choking (coughing, shortness of breath) Feeling filled up quickly when eating Frequent vomiting Hoarseness Loss of appetite Trouble swallowing (dysphagia) or pain with swallowing (odynophagia) Weight loss Feeling like food or pills are sticking behind the breast bone.Avoiding factors that cause heartburn may help prevent symptoms. Obesity is linked to GERD. Maintaining a healthy body weight may help prevent the condition.Peptic esophagitis; Reflux esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic; Dyspepsia - GERD.Anti-reflux surgery - children - discharge Anti-reflux surgery - discharge Gastroesophageal reflux - discharge Heartburn - what to ask your doctor Taking antacids.Digestive system Digestive system Gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal reflux - Series Gastroesophageal reflux - series.ASGE Standards of Practice Committee, Muthusamy VR, Lightdale JR, et al. The role of endoscopy in the management of GERD. Gastrointest Endosc. 2015;81(6):1305-1310. PMID: 25863867 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25863867. Falk GW, Katzka DA. Diseases of the esophagus.Encyclopedia Entry for Gastroesophageal Reflux :Gastroesophageal reflux in infants. When a person eats, food passes from the throat to the stomach through the esophagus. The esophagus is called the food pipe or swallowing tube. A ring of muscle fibers prevents food at the top of the stomach from moving up into the esophagus. These muscle fibers are called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. If this muscle does not close well, food can leak back into the esophagus. This is called gastroesophageal reflux. A small amount of gastroesophageal reflux is normal in young infants. However, ongoing reflux with frequent vomiting can irritate the esophagus and make the infant fussy. Severe reflux that causes weight loss or breathing problems is not normal.Symptoms may include: Cough, especially after eating Excessive crying as if in pain Excessive vomiting during the first few weeks of life; worse after eating Extremely forceful vomiting Not feeding well Refusing to eat Slow growth Weight loss Wheezing or other breathing problems.The health care provider can often diagnose the problem by asking about the infant's symptoms and doing a physical exam. Infants who have severe symptoms or are not growing well may need more testing to find the best treatment. Tests that may be done include: Esophageal pH monitoring of stomach contents entering the esophagus X-ray of the esophagus X-ray of the upper gastrointestinal system after the baby has been given a special liquid, called contrast, to drink.Often, no feeding changes are needed for infants who spit up but are growing well and seem otherwise content. Your provider may suggest simple changes to help the symptoms such as: Burp the baby after drinking 1 to 2 ounces (30 to 60 milliliters) of formula, or after feeding on each side if breastfeeding. Add 1 tablespoon (2.5 grams) of rice cereal to 2 ounces (60 milliliters) of formula, milk, or expressed breast milk. If needed, change the nipple size or cut a small x in the nipple. Hold the baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding. Raise the head of the crib. However, your infant should still sleep on the back, unless your provider suggests otherwise. When the infant begins to eat solid food, feeding thickened foods may help. Medicines can be used to reduce acid or increase the movement of the intestines.Most infants outgrow this condition. Rarely, reflux continues into childhood and causes esophageal damage.Complications may include: Aspiration pneumonia caused by stomach contents passing into the lungs Irritation and swelling of the esophagus Scarring and narrowing of the esophagus.Call your provider if your baby: Is vomiting forcefully and often Has other symptoms of reflux Has problems breathing after vomiting Is refusing food and losing or not gaining weight Is crying often.Reflux - infants.Digestive system Digestive system.Hibs AM. Gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the neonate.