title: GERD: An Alternative Perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent disease caused by multiple facets of factors. Current Western Medicine treatment of GERD focuses mainly on symptom alleviation. Although proton-pump inhibitors are known to alleviate symptoms in most patients, a significant portion of patients continue to present GERD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Given multiple factors, including the involvement of psychosocial influences, that contribute to the pathogenesis of GERD, we sought to look beyond the current available treatments for a multitargeting therapy to combat this disease. Traditional Chinese Medicine, with a history of more than 2000 years, is known for its holistic approach in the treatment of human body.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this article, we aim to review the ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine literature and current Traditional Chinese Medicine studies related to GERD, thereby presenting the understanding of GERD from a TCM perspective.
authors.affiliation: Dongfang Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chin Ee
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore; School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: You Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.affiliation: Dongfang Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Xue Xiang
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Dongfang Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Chun Yue
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Dongfang Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China. Electronic address: zchang0520@163.com.
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
chemical_list: D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors