| Glossary |
| Terms |
Explanation |
| Acid suppressors |
Acid suppressors are
drugs which suppress the production of acid in the stomach.
These drugs are commonly used for GERD, as well as for other
conditions (such as ulcer) that involve stomach acid. Proton
pump inhibitors and H2-receptor antagonists are types of acid
suppressors. |
| Ambulatory pH monitoring |
Ambulatory pH monitoring
is a procedure that measures refluxes from the stomach and/or
the esophagus over a 24- to 48-hour period. |
| Antacids |
Antacids are drugs commonly
used for indigestion and heartburn. Antacids work by neutralizing
acid in the stomach. They generally are not recommended to treat
the frequent heartburn associated with GERD. |
| Anti-reflux surgery |
Anti-reflux surgery
is aimed at modifying the lower esophageal sphincter to treat
the symptoms of GERD. |
| Endoscopy |
Endoscopy is a procedure
that allows a physician to visualize the esophagus and the stomach.
Endoscopy can be used to assess the presence of erosive esophagitis,
ulcers, hernias, or abnormal growths. |
| Erosive esophagitis |
Erosive esophagitis
is a complication of GERD that may result, when the esophagus
is exposed to stomach contents over a long period of time. |
| Esophageal manometry
(also called motility testing) |
Esophageal manometry
is a procedure commonly used to determine whether symptoms such
as difficulty swallowing, are related to GERD, or to another
condition. It is also used to preoperatively assess patients
who are undergoing anti-reflux surgery. |
| Esophagus |
The esophagus is the
long muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. |
Gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)
|
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the rising
(reflux) of gastric contents from the stomach into the esophagus.
When a person has GERD, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes
transiently at random times, allowing gastric contents from
the stomach to reflux into the esophagus. |
| H2-receptor antagonist or H2-receptor blocker
|
An H2-receptor antagonist (or blocker) is a drug
that is an acid suppressor. These drugs prevent a substance
called histamine from stimulating acid production. |
| Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) |
Lower esophageal sphincter is located between
the stomach and the esophagus. When the lower esophageal sphincter
does not stay closed after food has passed through, acid and
stomach contents may reflux back into the esophagus. |
| pH |
The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline (basic)
a substance is, with low pH levels being more acidic and high
pH levels being more alkaline. A pH of 4 or less is generally
considered to be injurious to the esophagus. |
Proton pump inhibitors
(PPI)
|
Proton pump inhibitors are drugs that work by
directly preventing parietal cells in the stomach from producing
acid. |
| Reflux |
Reflux refers to the rising of gastric contents
from the stomach into the esophagus due to transient relaxation
of the lower esophageal sphincter at random times. |
