title: Gastroesophageal reflux: clinical diagnosis, current therapy, future trends.
abstract: In the usual clinical setting, symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux can be equated with heartburn; however, the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be obscure. Recent improvements in the quality of fiberoptic endoscopy along with other imaging and diagnostic techniques have permitted a more complete understanding of the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux. The continued development of antisecretory, prokinetic, and mucosal protective agents allows the gastroenterologist a choice of effective therapeutic approaches to deal with contributing factors such as gastric acid secretion, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, or gastric motility. Although standard doses of potent H2-receptor antagonists are the focus of current reflux disease therapy, increasingly aggressive regimens will probably become available for refractory patients.
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma Foundation for Digestive Research, Oklahoma City.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Decktor
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists