| Gastrointestinal Involvement (Main Menu) |
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Esophagus: Reflux (Heartburn) and GERD |
| This page was written by Shelley Ensz, and has not yet been medically edited. See Disclaimer |
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| Overview |
| Heartburn (reflux) is very common in the general population. It can often be managed well with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding carbonated soft drinks. Treatments can include medications and surgery. |
| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The most common GERD symptom is chronic heartburn, but it's not the only symptom. WebMD. |
| Heartburn or GERD (Gastroesphogeal Reflux Disease)? GERD can develop as a result of chronic heartburn. GERD is associated with more serious complications including stricture (narrowing) of the esophagus or a potentially precancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus. WebMD. |
| Understanding Heartburn. The Basics. Heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus that is caused by stomach acid.Occasional heartburn isn't dangerous, but chronic heartburn can indicate serious problems and can develop into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). WebMD. |
| Mystery cough? 8 possible culprits. In a 2006 study of women with an average age of 48 who had a cough lasting for six months, 39 percent were found to have asthma, 9 percent had chronic upper airway cough syndrome (commonly known as postnasal drip), and 9 percent had gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ray Hainer. CNNHealth.com. 06/19/09. (Also see: Asthma) |
| Why Persistent Acid Reflux Sometimes Turns Into Cancer: New Clues. New research from scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center and the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center underscores the importance of preventing recurring acid reflux while also uncovering tantalizing clues on how typical acid reflux can turn potentially cancerous. Science Daily. 08/11/07. |
| Heartburn, GERD, and Scleroderma |
| Heartburn usually occurs by itself, without any underlying disease. In very rare cases, esophageal problems can be due to systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), which is an autoimmune disease. |
| Use of NSAIDs and infection with Helicobacter pylori-what does the rheumatologist need to know? Ulcer risk reduction after H. pylori eradication therapy is clearly more marked in patients beginning NSAID therapy than in patients who were already receiving and tolerating NSAID therapy. U. Kiltz. Rheumatology Advance Access. May 13, 2008 (Also see: NSAIDs). |
| Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Suspected in Oral Bisphosphonate Intolerance, and in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) Stomach Problems. 47% of patients who cannot tolerate oral bisphosphonates are infected with H. pylori, as are 83% of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Testing for and treating the infection might enable more patients to take oral bisphosphonates and might reduce some of the gastrointestinal problems common in SSc. Musculoskeletal Report, Nov 2008. |
| Esophageal Involvement in Scleroderma: Gastroesophageal Reflux, the Common Problem. Esophageal involvement is frequent in SSc patients. Appropriate treatment of esophageal involvement ameliorates symptoms and prevents complications. PubMed. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Oct 10. (Also see: Esophagus Involvement) |
| Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux in end-stage lung disease candidates for lung transplant. Gastroesophageal reflux is highly prevalent in end-stage lung disease patients who are candidates for lung transplantation. PubMed. Ann Thorac Surg. 2005 Oct;80(4):1254-60 (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis) |
| About Reflux (Heartburn) |
| Heartburn (reflux) is the main symptom of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the chest, which is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus (throat). (Source: Columbia Healthcare) |
| Usefulness of the Questionnaire FSSG (Frequent Scale for the Symptoms for GERD) for the Evaluation of GERD in Patients with Scleroderma. The questionnaire FSSG is a useful tool for detecting GERD in scleroderma patients and evaluating the efficacy of treatment. Rabeprazole, a new proton pump inhibitor (PPI), is effective for lowering FSSG score. K. Amano. AB0492 EULAR 2007. |
| Acidic and Non-Acidic Reflux During Sleep Under Conditions of Powerful Acid Suppression. PPI treatment reduced overall reflux events, but non-acidic reflux events were relatively more likely to occur with PPI treatment. Chest. 2007; 131:460-465. (Also see: Reflux Treatments) |
| Chest Pain, Chronic Many different types of problems can cause discomfort, shortness of breath, pain with swallowing, and many other symptoms in the chest area. This chart may help you pinpoint your problem as you confirm your symptoms. familydoctor.org |
| About GERD |
| The Relation Between Gastroesophageal Reflux and Respiratory Symptoms in a Population-Based Study. In spite of numerous investigations, the relation between respiratory symptoms and reflux symptoms in the general population remains unclear, since population-based studies are few. Chest. 2006;129:1051-1056. . (Also see: Asthma) |
| Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is the condition wherein acidic stomach contents regurgitate or back up (reflux) into the esophagus. The esophagus is a long cylindrical tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. MedicineNet |
| How is the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux made? "The diagnosis of GERD is usually suggested by the patient's symptoms. Tests to confirm GERD include barium x-rays of the esophagus, endoscopy, esophageal acid tests, and, occasionally, Bernstein's test." MedicineNet |
| Nausea and Vomiting Many illnesses can cause stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Some are mild sicknesses that will pass by themselves, but others are serious and need medical attention. familydoctor.org |
| Hiatal Hernia |
| Hiatal Hernia. Hiatal hernia is a condition in which a portion of the stomach protrudes upward into the chest, through an opening in the diaphragm. This condition may cause reflux (backflow) of gastric acid from the stomach into the esophagus. |
| Hiatal Hernia. Most hiatal hernias are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally. On rare occasion, a life-threatening complication, such as gastric volvulus or strangulation, may present acutely. eMedicine.com. |
| Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia. There are two categories of hiatal hernias, sliding or paraesophageal. About.com. |
| Hiatal Hernia Diet Tips. A few quick tips about eating with a hiatal hernia. About.com. |
| Reflux and Lung Involvement |
| Gastro-Esophageal Reflux and Pulmonary Fibrosis (ILD) in Scleroderma (SSc): A Study Using pH-Impedance Monitoring. SSc patients with ILD have more severe reflux i.e. more reflux episodes and more reflux reaching the proximal esophagus. Savarino E. (PubMed) Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2008 Dec 18. (Also see: Pulmonary Fibrosis) |
| Centrilobular Fibrosis: An Underrecognized Pattern in Systemic Sclerosis. The impressive association of lung involvement and gastroesophageal reflux in scleroderma raises the possibility of a cause-effect relationship. (UnBound MedLine) de Souza RB. e Respiration 2008 Sep 18. (Also see: Pulmonary Involvement) |
| Reflux Prevention and Treatments |
| Reflux Prevention and Treatments . Heartburn (reflux) is very common in the general population. It can often be managed well with lifestyle changes, such as changing eating habits, sleeping differently, and increasing your activities. When lifestyle changes alone don't work, more agreesive preventive measures such as medications or even surgery (in severe cases) may be required. ISN |
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| Personal Stories of Heartburn/Reflux and Esophageal Problems |
| Alexandra: Scleroderma My scleroderma symptoms arrived in great style: reflux, itchy swollen skin, joint and muscle pain and tiredness. Plus hundreds of little red spots (telangiectasia). My mouth was tight and getting smaller too... |
| Amanda: Diffuse Scleroderma Systemic Sclerosis I am thirty-nine years old and was diagnosed with diffuse scleroderma systemic sclerosis in August 2007... |
| Amy: Daughter of Systemic Sclerosis Patient: What is Scleroderma? Imagine for me if you would that in certain areas of your body the skin has begun to thicken and harden... |
| Annette: Diffuse Scleroderma (Illinois) I can see where having friends who understand what I am going through would be a big help... |
| Annette G: MCTD, Systemic Scleroderma, Chronic Kidney Disease, CFS, Fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, TMJ People think that because I am a nurse I have all the answers. Well guess what? I don't... |
| Barb: Diffuse Systemic Scleroderma I was diagnosed in 1985 with systemic scleroderma and Raynaud's. It has affected my esophagus, fingers, toes and bowels, and recently I started having mini strokes... |
| Beverly: CREST Scleroderma I was overtired and needed naps in the afternoon, pain was slowly getting the better of me and I finally went to the doctor... |
| Bill T: Diffuse Scleroderma I was diagnosed in July 2008 with Diffuse Scleroderma. I have consistently digressed since then, and have now been in my handicapped recliner, for the most part, since about July 2009... |
| Chris Beck: In Memory of My Mother, Veta Breit Can someone help me? My hands hurt and get cramped sometimes when they get cold... |
| Christene: Limited Scleroderma I was diagnosed when I was just nineteen and at that time it was one of the scariest moments of my life... |
| Danie: CREST Scleroderma My parents always thought of it as an excuse to miss school. It all started with my hands... |
| D.M. Hoffe: Progressive Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma CREST) After an endoscopy it was discovered I had a Watermelon Stomach... |
| Dee B: Limited Scleroderma/CREST Syndrome I also
had the problem with people saying I was a hypochondriac, as at that
stage all the doctors I saw found nothing wrong with me, but I constantly
felt weary and ill... |
| Easter: Scleroderma My name is Easter, and I'm Iraqi. About 16 years ago I began my struggle with scleroderma... |
| Elaine L: Scleroderma When I was about 20 years old, I started experiencing stomach problems and my fingers would turn a waxy white and feel so cold... |
| Elva: Mother of Diffuse Scleroderma Patient My son is unable to put on his own socks and shoes. He is very tired, and has tremendous pain... |
| Gaynor: Morphea and Possible Systemic Sclerosis I was diagnosed in 2003 with morphea. It began as a bruise-like patch on my upper right arm... |
| Gazea: Diffuse Scleroderma I would like to at least try to suggest a small ray of hope for other sufferers of diffuse scleroderma... |
| Gertie: Systemic Scleroderma without Skin Involvement or Raynaud's She looked thoughtful for a moment, then quietly asked "Is there hope?" |
| Gipi: Raynaud's, Scleroderma (Italy) I'm a fifty-three-year-old woman. When I was 21 my illness began, my fingers turned white and I had pain in my bones... |
| (Italiano) Gipi: Raynaud's, Sclerodermia Sono una donna di 53 anni. Quando avevo 21 anni ho avuto l'esordio della mia malattia con pallore alle dita delle mani e dolori alle ossa... |
| Heather A: Scleroderma (South Africa) My fingers started to curl up and I could not wear any rings on my fingers anymore as they were so swollen... |
| Heidi: Difficult Diagnosis of UCTD Do these symptoms resemble the beginning symptoms for others who have gone on to be diagnosed with scleroderma? |
| Helen P: CREST Scleroderma I was diagnosed ten years ago when the symptoms kicked in with a vengeance following a very traumatic personal tragedy... |
| Iceback: CREST or Limited Scleroderma Never having heard of scleroderma, I never really asked any questions when he told me and went home to look it up on the Internet... |
| Ingrid: Daughter of CREST and Overlap Patient (Germany) Maybe there is someone who has a similar or the same problem and this person could write to me. The doctors cannot help my father... |
| (Deutsche) Ingrid: Vater das CREST Sydrom sowie Overlap Syndrom Vielleicht kann mir jemand schreiben der das gleiche... |
| Janet Q: UTCD or MCTD I also experienced new symptoms; joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, very painful carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, back and neck pain, the list grew on and on... |
| Jay: Scleroderma and CREST When I was fifteen or so, I noticed that my fingertips were starting to get very sore... |
| Jenny: CREST Scleroderma My symptoms started to appear over ten years ago, but I was only recently diagnosed... |
| Jenny S: Morphea, etc. After a biopsy, I was diagnosed with morphea at age fourteen. A small spot, size of a quarter on my lower back that progressed to the size of two of my hands... |
| Jerri: CREST Syndrome I was twenty-one years of age when I first noticed that my fingers, toes and lips were turning colors... |
| Jewell: Diffuse Progressive Systemic Sclerosis When I think back, I had been getting sick for a long time. I just did not know it... |
| Joanne: Diffuse Scleroderma (Now in memory of Joanne by Lis) My hands became very swollen and I was unable to make a fist... |
| Jon F: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) I believe my vagus nerve was damaged in some way during the Nissen fundoplication surgery or as a result of it... |
| Kate: Possible Scleroderma/Lupus Overlap At some point in that dreary winter month, I began waking up with swollen hands... |
| Kym: Diffuse, CREST Scleroderma, Lupus and Fibromyalgia It all started with Raynaud's in my fingers and toes when I was about nineteen years old, in 1979... |
| Leeben: Limited Scleroderma and CREST I won't go into how many doctors I had to visit before someone took me seriously; it was a total nightmare... |
| Marilyn: Diffuse Scleroderma Being that I was a nurse you would think that I should have picked up on this myself... |
| Marthie D: CREST Scleroderma I live in a small town, which developed around a chemical and petrochemical industry in this area in South Africa... |
| Mary T: CREST Scleroderma If my rheumatologist does not explain my problems to my satisfaction, I will be looking for another doctor... |
| Michelle T: Surviving Daughter of Systemic Sclerosis Patient In memory of my mother, who was my best friend, my strength, my drive, and my compassion, I am compelled every day of my life to educate others of this disease... |
| Moomary: Diffuse Scleroderma The endoscopy showed that my esophagus does not close at all when I swallow. The surgeon suggested that he could do a Nissen Fundoplication... |
| Peggy: CREST and Raynaud's Years later, at fifty-six, my family doc said he thought I had scleroderma because I was having trouble with my hands, and my fingers looked like sausages... |
| Rhonda L: Systemic Scleroderma I have recently been diagnosed with sclerodema, and am still trying to wrap my brain around this... |
| Robin E: Scleroderma, Lupus and Raynaud's I do not know if I can describe what I am going through because it changes each week, if not each day... |
| Rosie: Limited Systemic Sclerosis (Australia) Some of my symptoms may not be due to limited scleroderma, however most of these symptoms have appeared since my diagnosis... |
| Sandy A: CREST Syndrome I have had surgery to remove the calcinosis on my knee and forearm twice, and once on my elbow. Yet it always comes back... |
| Santo: Sjogren's Syndrome (Italy) I visited gastroenterologist, mouth experts, dentists, ears, nose and throat specialists, and none of them could explain the symptoms... |
| (Italiano) Santo: Sindrome di Siogren La parte esofagea si è risolta, ma restavano i sintomi alla bocca e poi sono venuti quelli agli occhi (secchezza del dotto oculare)... |
| SariHope: CREST Scleroderma and Sjogren's Syndrome During the first few years after being diagnosed with Raynaud's, I had to go to the grocery store with gloves on to reach into the frozen freezer... |
| Sheila Z: Scleroderma I would like to first say that this site has been a great help for me to understand what is happening to my body and my life... |
| Sibel: Scleroderma and Raynaud's (Turkey) Changes in my skin were making me look different in the mirror... |
| Star S: Morphea and Systemic Scleroderma I was diagnosed with morphea at age seven. Now at age thirty-three, I have recently developed systemic scleroderma with gastrointestinal manifestations, Sjogren's syndrome, inflammatory arthritis, malabsorption... |
| Susie: CREST Syndrome I have had CREST syndrome for the past eight years. My specialist is Dr. Frederick Wigley, from Johns Hopkins... |
| Syl: Systemic Scleroderma/CREST/Pulmonary Hypertension/Sjögren's The physician's assistant noticed that my hands went really blue... |
| Tami: Morphea Scleroderma I have gotten used to the stares everyone casts my way because in their eyes I am different. Unique, I guess... |
| Tata P: Diffuse Scleroderma I am thirty-two years old, and I have been suffering this illness since I was nine... |
| (Español/Spanish) Tata P: Esclerodermia Difusa Hola, tengo 32 años, y padezco esta enfermedad desde los 9... |
| Tracie S: CREST with Fibromyalgia I ache from head to toe, am cold all the time, feel like I am in a fog, in general I am just not up to par... |
| Yolima: Diffuse Scleroderma I was misdiagnosed for more than a year with so many diseases and given all types of medication for different problems except for the real disease... |
| Yuri: CREST Syndrome Now, one month before my nineteenth birthday, I live with CREST Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, acid reflux and anemia... |
| Media Stories |
| Maybe It is More Than Just Heartburn. A recent national survey by Harris Interactive found 88 percent of those surveyed incorrectly assumed GERD is simply heartburn. And they remained unaware of other potentially damaging symptoms such as an acid taste in the mouth, trouble swallowing or regurgitation of food. PakTribune 12/24/05. (Also see: Scleroderma, Sjogren's, and Dysphagia) |
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