GERD or Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease is the term used to describe persistent acid reflux. While it is natural to feel your food reflux occasionally, when it recurs more than two times a week, it is typical that a diagnosis of GERD, or GERS, as it is otherwise known, will follow. This condition is a problem for 1 in every five Americans. Read on to know more about the health issue, its stages, and treatment options.

Stages of GERD
Since GERD is a common and chronic condition, understanding the staging is essential to enable you and your doctor to choose the right treatment path. The stages of GERD depend on the frequency of the reflux and the severity of the presenting symptoms.

Treatment options for GERD
The treatment of GERD depends on its stage, and as the severity increases, the intensity of the medications will increase as well. GERD is not entirely curable, but if identified at the right time and treated, you can manage the symptoms and slow the condition’s progression.

1. Stage 1: Mild
Patients with low-grade GERD might experience symptoms once or twice a month. The signs typically include mild heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation of food or liquids, and feeling a lump or discomfort in the back of the throat caused by inflammation.

Treatment options:  Typically, doctors recommend dietary modifications and lifestyle changes. They also advise you to avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy food and prescribe over-the-counter antacids. Your physician could recommend that you stop eating food three hours before bedtime and elevate your head while sleeping.

2. Stage 2: Moderate
The second stage is marked by the emergence of symptoms several times a week. The increased frequency is an indicator of significant inflammation in the lower esophagus. The heart pain and regurgitation become more intense and frequent.

Treatment options: Unlike Stage 1, over-the-counter medication is not enough to treat more advanced Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease. Anti-secretory therapy might be the treatment option now. It involves daily medication like proton-pump inhibitors or histamine-2-receptor blockers.

3. Stage 3: Severe
In this stage, not only are symptoms worse, but they arise several times a week or even daily, and the inflammation is severe as well. Heartburn and regurgitation are more acute than before, and these signs coincide with a hoarse voice, chronic cough, and sore throat.

Treatment options: Medications do not usually work for GERD at this stage of severity. Your general practitioner might ask you to consult a specialist, who might recommend advanced testing techniques before deciding on one treatment. You will receive help to control erosive esophageal inflammation and improve the integrity of the lower esophageal sphincter.

4. 4: Precancerous lesions or esophageal cancer
After many years, if left untreated, GERD reaches stage four in severity. Barrett’s esophagus or a precancerous condition is typical in this full-fledged mature stage. It can now also progress to cancer if you ignore diagnosis and treatment further. All the signs of the previous stages become worse, and you can even experience dysphagia.

Treatment options: Specialists will use endoscopies, pH studies, and esophageal manometry to determine the severity. Typically, surgery is the most recommended treatment option at this stage.