What Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) are medical terms often used to label indigestion and/or heartburn that is not related to an ulcer. The main symptoms of GERD and NUDare heartburn and/or upper abdominal pain as well as difficulty swallowing, feelings of pressure or heaviness after eating, sensations of bloating after eating, stomach or abdominal pains and cramps, as well as all of the symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome. (IBS). About three out of ten patients with GERD/NUD also meet the criteria for IBS. What causes GERD/NUD? Symtoms of NUD and GERD are most often caused by the flow of gastric juices up the esophagus leading to a burning discomfort that radiates upwards and is made worse by lying down. This reflux of gastric juices can be the result of factors that increase intra-abdominal pressure (e.g., overeating, obesity) thereby causing the gastric contents to flow upwards, or factors decrease the tone of the esophageal sphincter (e.g., hia
