Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Heartburn - Highlights

Highlights

Overview:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which acids from the stomach flow back up into the esophagus ("food pipe").
• About half of American adults experience GERD at least once a month.
• People of all ages are susceptible to GERD.
• Elderly people with GERD tend to have a more serious condition than younger people.
• The hallmark symptoms of GERD are:
  • Heartburn: a burning sensation in the chest and throat.
  • Regurgitation: a sensation of acid backed up in the esophagus.
• Typical symptoms in infants include frequent regurgitation, irritability, arching the back, choking or gagging, and resisting feedings.

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Risk Factors for GERD:

• Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to GERD in their third trimester, as the growing uterus puts increasing pressure on the stomach.
• Obesity contributes to GERD, and it may increase the risk for erosive esophagitis (severe inflammation in the esophagus) in GERD patients.
• Increasing evidence indicates that smoking raises the risk for GERD.

Medication Warnings:

• Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been linked to an increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures
• Use of PPIs may also increase the risk of pneumonia.
• Studies have found that taking PPIs with the blood thinner clopidogrel (Plavix) reduces the effectiveness of this blood thinner by nearly 50%.
• Use of famotidine (Pepcid AC) in those with impaired kidney function can affect the central nervous system and may result in anxiety, depression, insomnia or drowsiness, and mental disturbances.

Review Date: 07/11/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).