Microsoft word - gastroesophageal reflux disease.doc

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD),
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR),
and Nasal & Sinus Symptoms

What is GERD/LPR?

When you eat, food passes from your mouth, down your throat into your “food pipe”. This is called the esophagus. The
esophagus empties into the stomach. A muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter is prevent at the junction of the
esophagus and stomach and tightens closed after enters the stomach to prevent stomach contents from retuning to the
esophagus. Backward motion of stomach contents is called reflux. When it returns to the esophagus it is called Gastro
esophageal reflux (GERD) but when the contents find themselves up in the throat again it is referred to as
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR). When stomach acid enters the esophagus it can cause symptoms of heartburn.
Some people reflux and are unaware it is occurring so-called silent reflux.
Interestingly, recent medical publications have revealed the presence of pepsin ( a stomach enzyme) in the middle ear
of children with otitis media (middle ear infections). Also, H. pylori, the bacteria that is associated with stomach ulcers
has been identified in the nasal passages of some individuals with rhinosinusitis. This information is not adequate proof
that ear and nasal disease could be occurring in part because of GERD or LPR. Further investigations are underway to
better define any such relationship.
Signs & Symptoms that have been attributed to GERD or LPR include:

• Tight sensation in your throat upon swallowing • Sensation of mucus or phlegm in your throat
LPR & GERD can cause serious health problems which include:

• Very rarely it is associated with cancer of the esophagus Several tests can be order to determine if you have this problem. A 24 hour pH-probe is the believed the gold standard to determine the presence of GERD/LPR but it is only accurate as often as 85% of the time. A barium swallow of your esophagus and stomach is an X-ray test that can document GERD/LPR only if it occurs when the reflux is active a the time the test is done. An upper endoscopy of your GI tract can show any evidence of pre-malignant or malignant conditions in the stomach. This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Consult your healthcare provider, or pharmacist for more information if you have further questions. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD),
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR),
and Nasal & Sinus Symptoms

Several factors are associated with why reflux occurs:

• Position of the body – upright posture helps prevent reflux • Size of your meals – smaller meals reduce reflux • Nature of the food you eat can irritate or weaken the esophagus
Lifestyle changes you can make to treat reflux include:

• Do not lie down within 3 hours of eating o Caffeinated beverages – coffee, tea o Soda
Medications can also bring about relief these include:

• Antacids - Maalox, Mylanta, Gelucil, Gaviscon, Rolaids, Tums • H2 blockers – ranitidine/Zantac®, famotidine/Pepcid AC®, cimetidine/Tagamet®, nizatidine/Axid® • Proton Pump Inhibitors – (omeprazole/Prilosec®, lansoprazole/Prevacid®, esomeprazole/Nexium®)
Adverse Effects: Acid pump inhibitors (Prilosec®, Prevacid®, and Nexium®) may alter absorption of pH dependent
drugs such as ketoconozole/Nizoral® and itraconozole/Sporonox®. Common side effects are diarrhea and headache.
Occasionally, these medicines are associated with the very symptoms they are intended to treat, abdominal pains and
cramps. Some patients tolerate one medication better than another even though they are similar.
How long will I need treatment for?

GERD/LPR is a chronic and occasionally intermittent problem. It may take months of continuous therapy before it is
controlled. Rarely surgery is necessary when the problem is severe or medications cannot be tolerated. Once the initial
problem is controlled some patients can switch from continuous medication to therapy on an as needed basis. The
medicines used to treat GERD/LPR are generally deemed to be safe and well tolerated.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Consult your healthcare provider, or pharmacist for more information if you have further questions.

Source: http://sniflmd.com/pdf/Gastroesophageal_Reflux_Disease.pdf