Acid-related disorders: what are they?

'Acid-related disorders' is a term used to describe a whole range of conditions from the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where acid is entirely responsible for the problems, to aerophagia and motility-type non-ulcer dyspepsia, where acid plays little if any role in the dyspeptic symptoms. Careful evaluation of the patient's symptoms is required to establish the basis for the dyspepsia and from that, careful selection can be made for any investigations that might be needed. These symptoms are the basis for advising on the most effective management--but as many doctors and patients erroneously attribute dyspepsia solely to acid, it is all too easy for inappropriate treatment to be offered. Acid is not the only cause of dyspeptic symptoms. Dyspepsia is a very common complaint with many causes. Acid and pepsin are often held responsible for these symptoms, by both the medical profession and the lay public. The term, 'acid-related disorders' is used to embrace this wide variety of conditions in which acid may play a part. However, in spite of current folklore, it is a spectrum of conditions ranging from situations where acid is crucial to conditions where acid may play little part.