GERD—Esophagus Disorders

The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food, and liquids from your mouth to the stomach. You may not be aware of your esophagus until you swallow something too large, too hot, or too cold. You may also notice it when something is wrong. You may feel pain or have trouble swallowing.

The most common problem with the esophagus is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). With GERD, a muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus and irritate it. Over time, GERD can cause damage to the esophagus.

Other problems include heartburn, cancer, and esophagitis. Doctors may use various tests to make a diagnosis. These include imaging tests, an upper endoscopy, and a biopsy.

Treatment depends on the problem. Some problems get better with over-the-counter medicines or changes in diet. Others may need prescription medicines or surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Achalasia (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Barrett esophagus (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Bleeding esophageal varices (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Diet and eating after esophagectomy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• EGD discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Esophageal atresia (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Esophageal manometry (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Esophageal perforation (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Esophageal spasm (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Esophageal stricture – benign (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Esophagitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Esophagitis – infectious (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Lower esophageal ring (Schatzki) (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Mallory-Weiss tear (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Swallowing problems (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Upper GI and small bowel series (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when a muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus and irritate it.

You may feel a burning in the chest or throat called heartburn. Sometimes, you can taste stomach fluid in the back of the mouth. If you have these symptoms more than twice a week, you may have GERD. You can also have GERD without having heartburn. Your symptoms could include a dry cough, asthma symptoms, or trouble swallowing.

Anyone, including infants and children, can have GERD. If not treated, it can lead to more serious health problems. In some cases, you might need medicines or surgery. However, many people can improve their symptoms by

• Avoiding alcohol and spicy, fatty or acidic foods that trigger heartburn
• Eating smaller meals
• Not eating close to bedtime
• Losing weight if needed
• Wearing loose-fitting clothes

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Anti-reflux surgery (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Bland diet (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Gastroesophageal reflux – discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Swallowing problems (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Taking antacids (Medical Encyclopedia)