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GERD

Definition

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease.

Description

The terms heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD are often used interchangeably. However, they actually have different meanings.

Heartburn is a symptom you feel when acid splashes up and out of your stomach causing a burning chest pain.

Acid reflux is the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. When you start having chronic acid reflux or when your doctor can see irritation or damage to the lining of your esophagus, you may be diagnosed with GERD.

Causes and Symptoms

When you swallow, the circular band of muscle around the bottom part of your esophagus (LES) relaxes allowing food and liquid to flow into your stomach. If the muscle weakens or relaxes abnormally it allows for stomach acid to flow back up into your esophagus.

  • Other causes of acid reflux can be:
    •Stomach abnormalities
    •Pregnancy
    •Smoking
    •Being overweight
    •Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back
    •Snacking too close to bedtime
    •Eating acid reflux foods, such as;
    • Spicy foods
    • Chocolate
    • Mint
    • Citrus fruits
    • Alcohol
    • Coffee or tea
    • Fatty foods
    • Foods containing tomato


Symptoms of GERD may include:
•Heartburn- the most common symptom
•Hoarseness
•Chronic dry cough
•Bad breath
•Wheezing
•Earaches
•Difficulty swallowing
•Chest pain. Please seek immediate medical help for chest pain.

Source

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/basics/definition/con-20025201

http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/heartburn-gerd-basic-information-causes

If you have been diagnosed with GERD or have symptoms of this condition, contact us today to learn more about our current study opportunities for this diagnosis.

Call us at (701) 232-7705 or toll-free at (866) 532-7705

Signup online at www.lillestolresearch.com/sign-up or email our recruiter at recruiter(at)lillestolresearch(dot)com.

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