Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

This is the reflux of acid from the stomach into the oesophagus resulting in symptomatic burning of the chest and also possibly throat, sinus and lung diseases as a complication of this. Sometimes patients with chronic sinusitis, hoarseness and adult onset asthma or recurrent pneumonias have underlying Acid Reflux as the cause of their disease.

Causes of GORD include a Hiatus Hernia, Obesity, Poor diet and eating habits, drugs and medications and various other genetic and environmental factors.

A diagnosis is established using barium tests (specialised x-rays), gastroscopies’ and in difficult cases or cases requiring surgery, pH Testing.