GERD Flashcards
(23 cards)
Who is at the highest risk for GERD and why?
Obese people are at the highest risk due to the increase in intra abdominal pressure
What does regurgitation taste like?
Sour and bitter
What is Barrett’s esophagus?
Barrett’s esophagus occurs when Barrett’s epithelium replaces squamous cell epithelium in the lower esophagus during healing. This tissue is premalignant.
What influences the tone of the LES?
Smoking, bending over, eating large meals, pregnancy, braces, alcohol, NG tube, and genetic factors can be associated with this disease process
What is esophageal stricture?
During the healing process scar tissue from the acid will build and make it difficult to swallow. The esophagus is narrowed.
What age group is high risk for this disease?
All age groups are at risk.
How can you reduce GERD?
Eat small meals, sit upright for at least 1 hour after eating, avoid fried, fatty, and spicy foods, no smoking and stay away from caffeine
What is osynophagia?
Painful swallowing
What type of assessment findings would you expect with GERD?
Heartburn, atypical chest pain accompanied with coughing or wheezing especially at night, dysphagia and odynopagia, and dyspepsia
What is poly pharmacy?
Use of multiple of medications
What is the most effective way to diagnose GERD?
Esophageal PH monitoring is the best method
Esophageal PH monitoring is the best method
What are the priority problems for patient with GERD?
Compromised nutrition and acute pain due to reflux of gastric contents
What type of foods irritate the tissue and decrease LES pressure?
Chocolate , caffeine, peppermint, fatty food, and carbonated drinks, spicy foods, acidic foods
What can help a patient with obstructive sleep apnea and GERD?
CPAP machine
What drugs lower the LES function?
Calcium channel blockers
Anticholinergic agents
Nitrates
NSAIDS
Sedatives
Oral contraceptives
How do proton pump inhibitors help?
What do histamine blockers help?
How do antacids help?
Why should you monitor patients who are on PPIs for a long time
It has been proven that long term use of PPIs can lead to impaired calcium absorption which can result in weak bones
What type of treatment would be recommended to a patient who has a hiatal hernia, serve reflux, and does not respond to PPI therapy
Fundoplication
What position should you sleep in with GERD?
Left side
