Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common disorder in which irritant gastric contents enter the esophagus, most commonly via transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease may be made on clinical grounds alone or may be confirmed with studies including esophagogastroduodenoscopy or ambulatory pH monitoring. There are a number of different medications to treat reflux disease, including histamine-2 receptor antagonists, promotility agents and the proton pump inhibitors. Reflux disease often requires chronic maintenance therapy.
Brady
W M
WM
Section of General Internal Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.