GERD

Gerd may refer to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastric reflux disease, or acid reflux disease is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of stomach acid to the esophagus.[1] A typical symptom is heartburn.
This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. This can be due to incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter, transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus, or a hiatal hernia.
A different type of acid reflux which produces respiratory and laryngeal manifestations is laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), also called extraesophageal reflux disease (EERD). Unlike GERD, LPR is unlikely to produce heartburn, and is thus sometimes called silent reflux.

The most-common symptoms of GERD are:

Heartburn
Regurgitation
Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)

Less-common symptoms include:

Pain with swallowing (odynophagia)
Excessive salivation (this is common during heartburn, as saliva is generally slightly basic[2]and is the body’s natural response to heartburn, acting similarly to an antacid)
Nausea[3]
Chest pain

GERD sometimes causes injury of the esophagus. These injuries may include:

Reflux esophagitis-necrosis of esophageal epithelium causing ulcers near the junction of the stomach and esophagus.
Esophageal strictures-the persistent narrowing of the esophagus caused by reflux-induced inflammation.
Barrett’s esophagus-metaplasia (changes of the epithelial cells from squamous to columnar epithelium) of the distal esophagus.
Esophageal adenocarcinoma-a rare form of cancer.[3]

Several other atypical symptoms are associated with GERD, but there is good evidence for causation only when they are accompanied by esophageal injury. These symptoms are:

Chronic cough
Laryngitis (hoarseness, throat clearing)
Asthma
Erosion of dental enamel
Dentine hypersensitivity
Sinusitis and damaged teeth[4]

Some people have proposed that symptoms such as pharyngitis, sinusitis, recurrent ear infections, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are due to GERD; however, a causative role has not been established.[3]

GERD may be difficult to detect in infants and children. Symptoms may vary from typical adult symptoms. GERD in children may cause repeated vomiting, effortless spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems. Inconsolable crying, failure to gain adequate weight, refusing food, bad breath, and belching or burping are also common.

Common symptoms of Pediatric Reflux

Irritability and pain, sometimes screaming suddenly when asleep. Constant or sudden crying or “colic” like symptoms. Babies can be inconsolable especially when laid down flat.
Poor sleep habits typically with arching their necks and back during or after feeding
Excessive possetting or vomiting
Frequent burping or frequent hiccups
Excessive dribbling or running nose
Swallowing problems, gagging and choking
Frequent ear infections or sinus congestion
Babies are often very gassy and extremely difficult to “burp” after feeds
Refusing feeds or frequent feeds for comfort
Night time coughing, extreme cases of acid reflux can cause apnoea and respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia if stomach contents are inhaled.
Bad breath – smelling acidy
Rancid/acid smelling diapers with loose stool. Bowel movements can be very frequent or babies can be constipated.