Behavioral Weight Loss Improves GERD Symptoms

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where food and/or liquid in the stomach leaks backwards into the esophagus which causes the often unavoidable demon burn that can ruin sleep and social lives. Treatments include avoidance of foods known to exacerbate these symptoms, such as alcohol, caffeine, and dairy, but if these do not work, there are over-the-counter antacids and prescription drugs available. It is thought to be caused by a weakening in the sphincter muscles located in the esophagus that prevent stomach contents from seeping back. People who suffer from GERD are also at increased risk for hiatal hernia and scleroderma. Symptoms include heartburn, nausea, chest pains, and sometimes vomiting. A recent study done at Mayo Clinic reveals that even a small amount of weight gain dramatically worsens the debilitating symptoms that plague people who suffer from GERD.

However, researcher Michael D. Crowell, Ph.D, FACG has noted that this study also implies that the reverse is true of GERD. A link between the decrease of abdominal fat and the slackening of symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux has long been speculated upon. Although surgical interventions for obesity have improved symptoms, very little has been done to examine the effect of weight loss through a combination of calorie reduction and physical activity. In this case, researchers discovered that during a period of 18 months, the two in combination relieved and improved the symptoms of the 198 study participants. All participants were at least 18 years old and clinically obese, but also were determined to be otherwise healthy.

At the beginning of the study, researchers calculated the participants’ BMI and determined the severities of their GERD-related symptoms. Every six months, they noted significant declines in the participants’ BMI and abdominal fat.

According to Dr. Crowell, the study indicates that, before resorting to prescription drugs or surgical treatment, patients may find it valuable to attempt instead to lose moderate amounts of weight through lifestyle modifications.

This study will be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2010.