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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 8/4/2010 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I was researching Non-erosive reflux and found this information. Since I'm not a doctor, I have no idea if this impacts me or any of you, but I found this very comforting/sickening at the same time. I remember my doctor mentioning that I had the non-erosive version of GERD. Although it's painful and bothers most of us. For those with NERD, it's a little comforting to know that it shouldn't evolve.

Because most natural history studies suggest that the vast majority of NERD patients never progress to develop erosive esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus,81 therapeutic approaches such as on-demand or intermittent therapy are an attractive option for these patients.

I'm really starting to wonder if NERD is a result of low acidity and erosive is a result of too much acidity. I wish these doctors would figure this stuff out so we can all be cured of this ridiculous ailment.

tongue  Have a good one

Posted 8/4/2010 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
philip
Your doctor is right. NERD is the non-acid version of GERD. Often the non-acid is because of taking acid reducers, as mine was.

There's no such thing as too much acid in the stomach. It's basically filled with a hydrochloric acid solution. The problem for both NERD and GERD is when the stomach contents are refluxed or leak into the esophagus. This means the valve between them (LES) isn't working properly.

You can live just fine with NERD, except if you try to lie down with a full stomach and you aspirate the fluid into your lungs.

If your problem is just at night you can raise the head of your bed. If it's only after eating you can try keeping a food journal with times, the food eaten and symptoms. It's possible that only certain foods will cause reflux (as in my case) and you can just avoid them. I did this for several years. (I only needed surgery because of an accident in which my seatbelt pushed my stomach into my chest.)
Posted 8/4/2010 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Alcie,
After researching this condition for so long, I'm not sure I agree that PPI therapy is necessary (for me, at least), especially since a lot of cases show that they don't work thoroughly. This makes it so that the person has to increase the dosage or use a combination of drugs. In my case, I was taking them for 4-5 months, but I started to have swallowing difficulty. My doc said I could increase my dosage to 2 times a day. I just didn't want to do that. For the last month, I haven't been taking my medicine and have been going to natural remedies. Honestly, my swallowing has gotten better (not fixed) and I don't have heartburn but I still second guess myself on whether staying off medicine is the right call. Everytime I see/hear that untreated GERD can lead to complications later.
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