Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

Answer Explanation:

• The correct answer is smoking cessation. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) symptoms can be exacerbated by smoking. This is because nicotine in the smoke relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.
• Bed rest, increasing oral fluid intake, eating before bedtime, and a low-protein diet are not known to provide symptom relief in GORD. In fact, lying down can worsen reflux symptoms and eating before bedtime can increase the likelihood of reflux. While a balanced diet is important, a low-protein diet specifically has not been shown to alleviate GORD symptoms.

Overview of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD):

• GORD is a common condition where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus (gullet). This can cause symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation of food, and a sour taste in the mouth.
• The main cause of GORD is a weak lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus that acts like a valve between the oesophagus and stomach. If the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, stomach acid can back up into the oesophagus, causing the symptoms of GORD.
• Other risk factors for GORD include obesity, pregnancy, smoking, certain medications, and a hiatal hernia.
• Management of GORD involves lifestyle modifications such as weight loss if overweight, smoking cessation, and dietary changes. Medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 receptor blockers can also be used to reduce stomach acid and thus alleviate symptoms.
• In severe cases, surgery may be considered to strengthen the LES.

Answer Explanation:

• The correct answer is Barrett’s oesophagus. This is a recognized complication of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
• GORD is a condition where stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your oesophagus and cause complications.
• One such complication is Barrett’s oesophagus, which is a condition where the cells lining the lower part of the oesophagus have changed or been replaced with abnormal cells that could lead to cancer of the oesophagus.
• While the other options listed can be associated with oesophageal issues, they are not direct complications of GORD. Oesophageal varices are typically a complication of liver disease, squamous cell carcinoma can occur anywhere on the body including the oesophagus but is not a direct result of GORD, a hiatus hernia can contribute to GORD but is not a complication of it, and Boerhaave’s syndrome is a spontaneous rupture of the oesophagus, typically caused by forceful vomiting, not GORD.

Overview of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD):

• Definition: GORD is a chronic condition where the stomach’s contents reflux into the oesophagus causing symptoms and complications.
• Symptoms: Symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, difficulty swallowing, coughing, wheezing, and chest pain, especially lying down at night.
• Causes: GORD is caused by frequent acid reflux — the backup of stomach acid or bile into the oesophagus.
• Risk Factors: Obesity, pregnancy, smoking, asthma, diabetes, delayed stomach emptying, connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma, and certain foods and drinks can increase the risk of GORD.
• Complications: Over time, chronic inflammation in your oesophagus can cause complications such as esophagitis, oesophageal stricture, respiratory problems, Barrett’s oesophagus, and oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Explanation of the Correct Answer

• Alginates are the correct answer because they are recognized as effective treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
• These drugs work by forming a protective barrier over the stomach contents, preventing reflux into the oesophagus.
• They are often used in combination with other treatments, such as proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonists, to manage symptoms and promote healing.

Incorrect Options Explained

• Vancomycin is an antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial infections, not GORD.
• Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which can actually worsen GORD by irritating the stomach lining.
• Potassium supplements are used to treat or prevent low levels of potassium in the blood, not GORD.
• Prednisolone is a steroid medication used to treat a range of conditions including allergies, autoimmune diseases, and certain types of cancer, not GORD.

Overview of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease

• GORD is a common condition where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus.
• It’s usually due to the ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus becoming weakened.
• Common symptoms include heartburn, acid reflux, and discomfort when swallowing.
• Over time, GORD can damage the oesophagus and lead to complications such as oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus, and oesophageal cancer.
• Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes (such as avoiding certain foods and losing weight if necessary), medication to reduce stomach acid, and in some cases, surgery.