Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Fact Sheet

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, occurs when stomach acid moves in the wrong direction, flowing back, or refluxing, up the esophagus (the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach), and causing discomfort.[1]

What is erosive GERD?

Over time, reflux of acid erodes (burns away) the lining of the esophagus, leading to inflammation and ulcers, a condition called erosive GERD.[2]

When erosive GERD is not treated, it can lead to more serious problems, such as:

• Bleeding from the lining of the esophagus
• Esophageal stricture (a narrowing of the esophagus)
• Barrett's esophagus (a precancerous change in the lining of the esophagus)[3]

What are the symptoms of GERD and erosive GERD?

Heartburn is the most frequent symptom of GERD and erosive GERD.[4] GERD sufferers also may experience regurgitation, the appearance of refluxed liquid in the mouth[5] that may cause a bitter or sour taste of acid in the back of their throat, as well as other symptoms such as belching, bloating or early satiety (feel excessively full after meals).

What treatments are available for erosive GERD?

When lifestyle changes and non-prescription medications are unsuccessful, and erosive GERD is then diagnosed, physicians may prescribe medication. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as AcipHex® (rabeprazole sodium), are the latest pharmaceutical advance in heartburn therapy and are available by prescription only. PPIs prevent the production at the very source - the acid-producing cells of the stomach.

What is AcipHex®?

AcipHex® is a proton pump inhibitor, or PPI, used to treat heartburn and other symptoms of erosive GERD that occur when acid from your stomach irritates your esophagus.

References

[1] P. 4, Heartburn Hurts. 2001
[2] P. 4, Heartburn Hurts. 2001
[3] P. 5, Heartburn Hurts. 2001
[4] P. 6, Heartburn Hurts. 2001
[5] MedicineNet.com. 19 Nov. 2001. FocusOnDigestion.com.

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