Acid Reflux (also known as gastroesophageal reflux) occurs when stomach contents back up into esophagus.

Acid reflux becomes Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when it results in injury of the esophagus or causes bothersome symptoms. Damage of the esophagus is more likely to occur when acid reflux episodes are frequent and left untreated.

Most common symptoms of GERD are:

• Heartburn ( burning sensation in the chest)
• Burning in the throat, taste of acid in the mouth
• Regurgitation of food/ fluid
• Trouble swallowing (also known as dysphagia): feeling of "food getting stuck in the chest"
• Painful swallowing (also known as odynophagia)
• Change in voice (hoarseness) or persistent laryngitis
• Sensation of lump in the throat (also known as globus)
• Persistent sore throat
• Sometimes GERD may exacerbate asthma symptoms

If left undiagnosed and untreated GERD may lead to such complications as gastrointestinal bleeding, narrowing of esophagus, appearance of precancerous condition of esophagus (Barrett’s esophagus) or even to cancer (esophageal adenocarcinoma).

GERD is usually diagnosed by symptoms, diagnostic tests, and by response to treatment. The following tests are used to diagnose GERD and to evaluate for possible complications it may cause:

• Upper Endoscopy (EGD) - a small, flexible tube with a camera is passed into the esophagus, stomach and the first part of small intestine. Damage to the lining of these structures can be evaluated; A small sample of tissue ( biopsy) is taken
• 24 hour pH study - A way to measure frequency of acid reflux episodes. A thin flexible catheter is inserted throught the nose into the larynx or esophagus, and is left for 24 hrs. The tube is connected to a device that measures pH ( level of acidity) inside of the larynx or esophagus. The test helps to determine how often acidic stomach content is reaching voice box or esophagus
• Esophageal manometry - a test during which a tube is placed into esophagus to measure muscle contractions of esophagus. It helps to determine if esophageal muscles and lower esophageal sphincter (muscular structure located between esophagus and stomach) are functioning properly.

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