About Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

If you have heartburn more than twice a week, you could have a more serious problem – gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Getting an accurate diagnosis is critical, but many people dislike catheter-based pH tests for GERD. Fortunately, Medtronic offers another option.

Frequent or chronic heartburn may be associated with a more serious problem – gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD. 

For years, catheter-based pH tests have been used to help diagnose GERD. But catheter-based tests are sometimes difficult to tolerate. Medtronic has developed the world’s first catheter-free test: the Bravo^® pH Monitoring System.

Definition

Gastroesophageal reflux (also known as heartburn) occurs when contents from the stomach flow back up into the esophagus. Occasional heartburn is normal. But chronic heartburn caused by GERD can affect your daily activities and damage your esophagus.

Causes

In your esophagus, there’s a valve that opens to allow food to enter the stomach, then closes to keep it from flowing back up into the esophagus. In individuals with GERD, this valve weakens or relaxes randomly, allowing stomach contents to reflux into the esophagus.

Symptoms

Frequent heartburn (more than twice per week) and other disruptive symptoms may be a sign of GERD:

• Severe indigestion or a burning sensation in the center of your chest
• Sour or bitter-tasting fluids flowing up into your throat or mouth
• Acid backing up in your throat when you lie down or bend over

Risk Factors

GERD is painful and can keep you from exercising, eating, and even sleeping. Left untreated, GERD may also lead to more serious medical problems:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Painful swallowing (odynophagia)
• Narrowing of the esophagus (strictures)
• Barrett’s esophagus (pre-cancerous lesion)
• Chronic hoarseness or laryngitis
• Respiratory problems (coughing, asthma)

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose GERD by conducting a pH monitoring test using the Bravo system. The test usually lasts 24 to 48 hours, and measures the severity of your symptoms, how often stomach acid flows into the lower esophagus, and the degree of acidity during the test period.

Information from the pH test helps your doctor make a diagnosis and plan your treatment.

Section Navigation

• About Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Additional information