What are the medical management of GERD?

Decrease dietary fat intake. Avoid lying down within three to four hours after a meal. Avoid medications that may potentiate GERD symptoms, including calcium channel blockers, beta agonists, alpha-adrenergic agonists, theophylline, nitrates, and some sedatives. Elevate the head of the bed 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches).

What is the first line treatment for GERD?

H2 receptor antagonists are the first-line agents for patients with mild to moderate symptoms and grades I-II esophagitis. Options include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and nizatidine (Axid).

What is the best initial treatment for GERD?

Proton pump inhibitors are accepted as the most effective initial and maintenance treatment for GERD. Oral pantoprazole is a safe, well tolerated and effective initial and maintenance treatment for patients with nonerosive GERD or erosive esophagitis.

What is the gold standard for diagnosing GERD?

Ambulatory pH monitoring is generally considered the diagnostic gold standard for use in patients with GERD. In this study, a pH monitor is placed in the esophagus above the lower esophageal sphincter, and the pH is recorded at given moments in time.

How to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD )?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is mainly a clinical diagnosis based on typical symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation. Current guidelines indicate that patients with typical symptoms should first try a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

What are ACG guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of Gerd?

The ACG guidelines also address the role of empiric therapy, endoscopy, ambulatory reflux monitoring, and esophageal manometry in the diagnosis of patients with GERD ( Table 1). In patients who have a history typical of uncomplicated GERD, an initial trial of empiric medication and lifestyle changes is appropriate.

Are there any lifestyle modifications for GERD patients?

The true efficacy of lifestyle modifications has yet to be documented reliably, but many studies have indicated that they may reduce distal esophageal acid exposure. Modifications thought to be effective include elevating the head of the bed, reducing fat intake, quitting smoking, and remaining upright for three hours after meals.

What are the signs and symptoms of Gerd?

An international consensus group has defined GERD as a condition that develops when reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms with or without complications. 6 Typical symptoms that lead to the diagnosis of GERD are regurgitation and heartburn.