Word parts
What it means
The ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagusih-SOF-uh-gusThe muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.esophag/o esophagusFull entry does not close well, so stomach acid comes back up. The main symptom is heartburn, a burning feeling behind the breastbone, often after meals or when lying down; others are a sour taste, cough, hoarseness and trouble swallowing. Over time the acid can damage the esophagus.
For the nurse
Teach the client to eat smaller meals, avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bed, raise the head of the bed, lose weight if needed, stop smoking, and limit foods that bring it on (fatty food, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, spicy food). Common drugs are antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. Chest pain should not be assumed to be heartburn.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | GERD |
|---|---|
| Everyday words | acid reflux, heartburn |
| Spanish | enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico |
| Also written | GERD, gastroesophageal-reflux-disease, GORD |