Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which refluxed gastric contents cause troublesome symptoms or visible injury to the esophagus. It ranges from non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), in which symptoms occur without visible mucosal injury, through erosive esophagitis and peptic stricture, to Barrett esophagus, which carries a small but real risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma.
The definition of GERD has shifted from symptoms alone toward documented reflux pathology. The modern standard asks for conclusive evidence of reflux-related injury on endoscopy or abnormal reflux monitoring, together with compatible troublesome symptoms. Typical symptoms by themselves may be enough to justify a trial of antisecretory medication, but deciding when to test the esophagus, and how to read the results, is a separate question.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Pathophysiology explains why the barrier at the gastroesophageal junction fails and which factors raise esophageal acid exposure. Clinical Manifestations and Differential Diagnosis describes how reflux presents and which conditions can mimic it. Complications covers the damage chronic reflux causes, from esophagitis to Barrett esophagus and adenocarcinoma. Diagnosis shows how endoscopy, reflux monitoring and manometry are selected and interpreted. Treatment explains how lifestyle change, acid suppression and surgery are used and sequenced.