About the book
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common gastrointestinal diagnosis nowadays. GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to block the stomach content to go up into the esophagus. The refluxate not only contains strong acid but sometimes also bile from the duodenum. Chronic GERD can lead to esophageal cancer, which is one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. A recent study shows that GERD increases the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma by 8.6 fold. GERD is usually treated with acid-suppressive drugs like PPI, or with surgical procedures, but multiple side effects are reported repeatedly. Moreover, these treatment strategies have not been found to lower the risk of esophageal cancer. This book aims to cover every aspect of GERD, particularly its epidemiology, pathophysiology, molecular biology, as well as treatment options. Through this book, we hope to raise more awareness of this common disease, leading to more effective treatment strategies.
