Question

A 34-year-old man visits a primary care clinic because his family says

that his voice sounds hoarse, and he finds that he needs to clear his
throat often. During the initial visit, he tells you that he returned from
military service 1 year ago and that his routine physical exam 6 months
ago was normal. He is slightly overweight and currently smokes 1 pack
of cigarettes a day and has done so since age 20. He complains
experiencing heartburn or regurgitation after eating and has upper
abdominal discomfort. He has no family history of esophageal cancer.
His hoarseness has developed over the last 2 months. Patient was
lateral diagnosed with GERD.

What is GERD?

Answer 1

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It is a condition where the acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and throat irritation. Treatment usually involves lifestyle changes and medications.

Step-by-step explanation:

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It is a condition where the acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and throat irritation. Factors that can contribute to GERD include smoking, being overweight, and certain lifestyle choices. Treatment usually involves lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and losing weight, as well as medications to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.