Preface

Part 1: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Definitions and Facts

1. What is gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD?

2. What is heartburn?

3. What is acid reflux?

4. How many people are affected by GERD?

5. What factors cause GERD?

6. Is there a link between obesity and GERD in the United States?

7. Do children get GERD?

8. Does GERD affect one gender more than the other?

9. Is GERD serious?

10. What are some of the typical symptoms of GERD?

11. What causes new-onset GERD?

12. How can I improve my symptoms of GERD?

Part 2: Symptoms and Atypical Manifestations of GERD

13. How do I know whether my heart is causing the chest pain?

14. What about other chest symptoms with GERD?

15. Can I have chest pain caused by conditions other than GERD?

16. Can I have GERD without any symptoms?

17. Can GERD manifest as mouth symptoms in the absence of typical chest discomfort?

18. Is there a difference between daytime and nighttime GERD?

19. Can GERD cause changes in my voice?

20. What are alarm signs of GERD?

Part 3:Hiatal Hernias, the Lower Esophageal Sphincter,

and Reflux

21. What do the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and stomach have to do with

reflux?

22. What is a hiatal hernia and why does it cause reflux?

23. What are the symptoms of a hiatal hernia?

24. Will my hiatal hernia get worse and what are the complications?

Part 4: Lifestyle, Medications, Diet, and GERD

25. Can stress increase GERD symptoms?

26. Can smoking cause GERD?

27. Can medicines exacerbate GERD?

28. Which specific medications can exacerbate GERD or damage the esophagus?

29. Which medications can affect both the esophagus and stomach?

30. How can I avoid GERD problems if I have to take my pills?

31. Can exercise affect my reflux?

32. What kind of foods can make GERD worse?

33. What kind of foods should I eat if I have GERD?

34. Will eating fast food make my GERD worse?

35. How else can I change my eating habits to prevent GERD?

36. Does GERD get worse with age?

37. Does my bed make a difference for nighttime symptoms?

38. Can my weight affect my GERD?

39. When should I consider medications for GERD?

Part 5: Complications of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

40. What are the complications of GERD, and are they serious?

41. What is regurgitation?

42. What is esophagitis?

43. What is an esophageal stricture or ring?

44. What is an esophageal dilation?

45. What is Barrett’s esophagus?

46. Will I get cancer from Barrett’s esophagus?

47. What can be done to make Barrett’s esophagus better or make it go away?

48. If I have Barrett’s esophagus, does it need to be followed?

49. What are the “alarm” or concerning symptoms that might suggest esophageal

cancer?

50. How can I decrease my risk of getting cancer of the esophagus?

51. What is aspiration?

52. What is laryngopharyneal reflux?

53. Is there a relationship between GERD and asthma or chronic lung disease?

54. Is there a relationship between GERD and a chronic cough?

100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD)

55. Does GERD play a role in chronic chest pain?

56. Is there a relationship between GERD and cancers of the head and neck?

Part 6:Doctor’s Evaluation

57. When should I see my doctor about my GERD symptoms?

58. What kind of doctor treats GERD?

59. What symptoms should prompt a doctor’s evaluation?

60. Should I just have a trial of medication for GERD?

Part 7:Testing for GERD

61. What is a barium study or upper GI series?

62. What is an endoscopy?

63. Is an endoscopy painful, and does it carry risks?

64. Do I need a biopsy of the esophagus, and does it hurt?

65. Should I be checked for H. pylori at the endoscopy?

66. What does an endoscopy show when patients have GERD?

67. Who should have an endoscopy and why?

68. What is a manometry or motility study and why is it done?

69. What is a pH study and why is it done?

Part 8: H. pylori,GERD, and Peptic Ulcer Disease

70. What is the relationship between ulcers and GERD?

71. Does gastrointestinal reflux disease cause ulcers?

72. What is H. pylori?

73. Does H. pylori cause GERD?

74. Do I need to be checked for H. pylori?

75. What are the tests for H. pylori?

76. If I have H. pylori should I be treated?

Part 9: Medications for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

77. What are antacids, and how and when should they be used?

78. Antacids seem benign. Do they have side effects?

79. If antacids do not work or are not appropriate for my GERD, what is the next

step or tier of medications to try?

80. What are the differences between the H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors?

81. What are the different proton pump inhibitors? How should they be taken?

82. What are the major side effects associated with H2 blockers and PPIs?

83. How should I take the medications, and when will they work?

84. Do I need to take the medication every day or just when I have reflux?

85. What should I do if the medication is not working?

86. If my symptoms get better, can I stop taking medication?

Part 10: Endoscopic and Surgical Options for GERD

87. If my GERD is chronic and possibly lifelong, do I need to take medications for

life or are there any other options?

88. Should I have surgery for my GERD?

89. What are the surgeries for GERD?

90. What are the long-term risks and benefits of surgery?

91. Will I be able to stay off GERD medications if I have surgery?

92. Will surgery make my Barrett’s esophagus improve or go away?

93. Will surgery decrease my risk of getting Barrett’s-associated esophageal cancer?

94. How do I find a surgeon?

95. What are the endoscopic therapies for GERD?

96. What is a Stretta procedure?

97. What is Enteryx?

98. What is an EndoCinch or endoscopic plication?

99. Who performs noninvasive endoscopic anti-reflux procedures?

100. What are the long-term risks/benefits of endoscopic anti-reflux procedures?

Part 11: Conclusion and Summary Thoughts

Bonus question: What would I do if I had chronic GERD?

Appendix

Glossary

Index