Everyone Healthy Library
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD or GERD)
Also Known As: Heartburn; Reflux
Condition / disease reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
Connected health information
Explore this condition in a clear order
Condition overview
Attributes
Commonalityis common
Incidenceis approximately 1 in 5 people
Linked signs and symptoms
15Each sign/symptom opens its own page and links back to related conditions.
Linked drugs / medications
10Medication information is educational only. A doctor or pharmacist should advise whether any medicine is appropriate.
Treatments, therapies and supportive options
36Grouped by treatment type. These are educational database links, not personal treatment recommendations. Evidence labels are shown only where stored in the EH database.
Laparoscopy
1Medical therapy
3Lifestyle changes
16- Avoid Acidic foods (eg. Tomatoes and Tomato-based PreparationsWeakly in Favour(Low Evidence)
- Avoid Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)Weakly in Favour(Low Evidence)
- Avoid Tight GarmentsWeakly in Favour(Low Evidence)
- Elevate Head of the BedWeakly in Favour(Low Evidence)
- Low Fat DietWeakly in Favour(Low Evidence)
- Meals More then 3 Hours Before Bed Time
- Meals More then 3 Hours Before Bed TimeWeakly in Favour(Low Evidence)
- Meals Small and More Frequent
- Meals Small and More FrequentWeakly in Favour(Low Evidence)
- Reduce or Stop Alcohol Consumption
- Reduce or Stop Alcohol ConsumptionStrongly in Favour(High Evidence)
- Reduce or Stop Smoking
- Reduce or Stop SmokingStrongly in Favour(High Evidence)
- Sleeping on One Side (On Shoulder)Weakly in Favour(Low Evidence)
- Weight Reduction
- Weight ReductionStrongly in Favour(High Evidence)
Behavioural changes
8- Avoid Acidic foods (eg. Tomatoes and Tomato-based Preparations; Citrus Fruits and Citrus Juices; Carbonated Soft Drinks, etc)
- Avoid Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
- Avoid Stimulants (e.g caffeine)
- Avoid Tight Garments
- Elevate Head of the Bed
- Low Fat Diet
- Remedial Education (Individualized Education Program)
- Sleeping on One Side (On Shoulder)
Preventative therapy
1Alternative and complementary therapies
2Alternative medicine
1Alternative therapies
2Linked diagnostic tests and investigations
10These are pulled from both EH diagnostic-test link tables, including the older large test-link table.
Biological and test markers
0This visual map uses existing EH database links to show biological agents and lab markers reported as increased, decreased, or associated with this condition. These are educational relationships only; test results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician because ranges vary by lab, method, age, sex and clinical context.
No biological marker links are listed yet for this condition.
Introduction / full article
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD or GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder in which stomach acid goes up to the oesophagus. This acid reflux irritates the lining of the oesophagus and causes heartburn, which is characterized by a burning sensation in the chest area. Other symptoms of GERD include difficulty in swallowing, dry cough, sore throat, and a feeling of a lump in the throat. Some symptoms of GERD, like acid reflux and heartburn, are common. However, to be considered as GERD, the symptoms must occur at least twice a week and the pain must be to a level that it interferes with everyday life.
Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:
Strychnos Nux-Vomica (Maqianzi, Poison Nut) [1, 2, 3, 4]:
WARNING! This substance is HIGHLY POISONOUS. The seeds contain Strychnine, which may cause convulsions, breathing difficulties and death, even if as little as 5 milligrams is ingested
Recommendation: Strongly against (There is no evidence in the form of clinical trials which reports the effectiveness of Strychnos Nux-Vomica, because it is highly poisonous to humans, and is not recommended.)
Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence
Acupuncture [5, 6]:
WARNING! This substance is HIGHLY POISONOUS. The seeds contain Strychnine, which may cause convulsions, breathing difficulties and death, even if as little as 5 milligrams is ingested
Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Studies show that acupuncture may be able to help those with acid reflux)
Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence
* www.gradeworkinggroup.org
Summary References
Treatments:
1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009
2. David Michael Wood et al. Case report: Survival after deliberate strychnine self-poisoning, with toxicokinetic data. Critical Care October 2002 Vol 6 No 5
3. Arnold, M.D., Harry L. (1968). Poisonous Plants of Hawaii. Tokyo, Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Co.. p. 20. ISBN 0804804745.
4. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/strychnos-nux-vomica
5. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-08/aps-ava083005.php
6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20697939