Pharmacological management of gerd

Abstract

GERD is a common and widespread disease among us, with arising common symptoms in everyone, depending on the extensiveness of the esophageal injury and the prevalence of gastric ulcer formation. The diagnosis can be made clinically, and a standard dose of PPI is given for the first 8 weeks in order to make a diagnostic evaluation. Maintenance therapy of PPIs to their lowest effective dose or H2R antagonists can be given if symptoms recur. Other diagnostic methods, such as endoscopy, manometry, and esophageal pH meter are used to confirm the diagnosis. Anti-reflux fundoplication surgery is done in cases of recurrent reflux episodes, presence of complications, and especially in case of Barrett’s metaplasia. Surgical treatment is not favored due to the complications and high risk of infections caused after surgery.