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Acid Reflux – Definition and Diagnosis

Definition - Acid reflux is a chronic digestive disease caused due to flowing back of bile or stomach acid into esophagus or food pipe. Acid reflux diagnosis starts with a detailed analysis of medical history. Esophageal pH monitoring is important.

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<p><strong>Definition and Diagnosis of Acid Reflux<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>New York &lpar;USA&rpar;&comma; June 19&comma; 2013<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>What is Acid Reflux&quest;<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Definition of Acid Reflux<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Acid reflux is a chronic digestive disease caused due to flowing back of bile or stomach acid into esophagus or food pipe&period; This acid flow from stomach into esophagus causes mucosal damage to esophagus due to irritation of esophageal lining&period; Acid reflux is same as Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease &lpar;GORD&rpar;&comma; Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease &lpar;GERD&rpar;&comma; or gastric reflux disease&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>When the valve separating stomach contents and esophagus is faulty&comma; stomach acids or bile rises up into esophagus&period; Sometimes abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter causes stomach acid to flow back into esophagus&period; Acid reflux changes could be temporary or permanent&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Heartburn associated with esophageal disorders occurs commonly&period; However&comma; if these conditions occur as frequently as twice each week and disrupt your normal life&comma; it is acid reflux&period; Often there is confusion between acid reflux and heartburn&period; Acid reflux indicates the backward movement of stomach acid while heartburn indicates a burning sensation&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong>Diagnosis of Acid Reflux<&sol;strong><&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Acid reflux diagnosis starts with a detailed analysis of medical history&period; Common diagnostic tests include barium swallow X-rays&comma; ambulatory Esophageal pH Monitoring&comma; Esophagogastroduodenoscopy &lpar;EGD&rpar; and Esophageal manometry&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Esophageal pH monitoring is important&period; This test not only diagnoses acid reflux disease but also monitors treatment options&period; Treatment through proton pump inhibitors in the short term can bring in a positive response&period; In extreme cases&comma; Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or EGD is performed to correctly diagnose the condition&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150111-acid-reflux-causes-evaluation&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Causes and Evaluation<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Causes and Evaluation of Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150112-acid-reflux-signs-symptoms&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Signs and Symptoms<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Signs and Symptoms of Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150113-acid-reflux-complications-risk-factors&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Complications and Risk Factors<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Complications and Risk Factors for Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150114-acid-reflux-diagnostic-tests-procedures&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Diagnostic Tests and Procedures<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Diagnostic Tests and Procedures for Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150115-acid-reflux-treatments-medications&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Treatments and Medications<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Treatments and Medications for Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150116-acid-reflux-clinical-trials-research-studies&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Clinical Trials and Research Studies<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Clinical Trials and Research Studies on Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150117-acid-reflux-home-remedies-alternative-therapies&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Home Remedies and Alternative Therapies for Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150118-acid-reflux-prevention-coping&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Prevention and Coping<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Prevention and Coping with Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;health&sol;2016-150119-acid-reflux-lifestyle-changes-self-help&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Lifestyle Changes and Self-Help<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Lifestyle Changes and Self-Help for Acid Reflux<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><a href&equals;"http&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;theteamwork&period;com&sol;articles&sol;2016-5011-acid-reflux-prevention-treatment-remedies&period;html"><strong><span style&equals;"text-decoration&colon; underline&semi;">Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Prevention&comma; Treatment&comma; and Remedies<&sol;span><&sol;strong><&sol;a><br &sol;>&NewLine;Acid Reflux &&num;8211&semi; Causes&comma; Symptoms&comma; Diagnosis&comma; Prevention&comma; Treatment&comma; and Remedies<&sol;p>&NewLine;

Written By:
Dr. Marilyn Thompson