If you feel a painful, burning sensation in your chest 30 minutes to 2 hours after you eat, you may have gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD). Most people get this burning feeling – called heartburn – every now and then. But when you get
heartburn often or regularly, you may have GERD.
GERD is also called acid reflux disease. The pain may start in your stomach and move up to the middle of your chest. You
may even feel pain in your throat. You may also have regurgitation. This means the contents of your stomach (liquid or food) moves up into the esophagus. GERD symptoms can happen any time. They are common after meals.
GERD is caused when a one-way valve in your food tube (esophagus) doesn’t work as it should. Normally, the valve opens
when you swallow food or drink. The valve allows food to enter your stomach, then closes quickly. With GERD, the valve
allows food and stomach acid to travel back (reflux) into your esophagus.
About 1 or 2 out of 10 adults in the U.S. have GERD. Learn about the risks you may have for this condition by taking this
assessment.
Note: A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease. Having a risk factor, or even several risk
factors, does not mean you will get the disease. And some people who get GERD may not have had any known risk factors.
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Your results
Age
You told us you are years old. In general, getting older doesn’t increase
the risk of getting GERD. But older adults may be more likely to have serious esophagus problems that are tied to GERD.
These include an inflammation of the esophagus called erosive esophagitis. Another is Barrett’s esophagus. This condition
may lead to cancer. Researchers think these problems happen in older adults because they may have lived with GERD for
years without getting treated.
Gender
You told us you are . Both men and women have about the same chance of getting GERD.
Pregnancy
You told us you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. Pregnancy increases the risk for GERD symptoms. About 4 to 8 women
in 10 have GERD symptoms at some point during their pregnancy. The symptoms are more common as your due date approaches. Women
who gain more weight than normal during pregnancy may be more likely to develop GERD symptoms. The symptoms usually go away
after the baby is born.
Weight
Your body mass index (BMI) is . A BMI of greater than 30 means you are obese. Obesity
makes it 3 times more likely that you’ll develop GERD. This is especially true if your extra weight is around your belly
instead of around your hips. The extra weight around your middle puts more pressure on your stomach. The increased pressure
puts you at risk for a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of your stomach bulges up into your chest from its normal place in your belly (abdomen). The bulging makes
it easier for stomach acid to move into your esophagus.
Obesity also puts you at greater risk for serious esophagus problems. These include erosive esophagitis and cancer of the esophagus.
Losing weight will lower your risk of developing GERD. Talk with your health care provider about ways to lose weight.
Weight
Your body mass index (BMI) is . A BMI between 25 and 30 means you are overweight. Being
overweight may make it 3 times more likely that you’ll develop GERD. This is especially true if your extra weight is around your
belly – instead of around your hips. The extra weight around your middle puts more pressure on your stomach. The increased pressure
puts you at risk for a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of your stomach bulges up into your chest from its normal place in your belly (abdomen). The bulging makes it
easier for stomach acid to move into your esophagus.
Being overweight also puts you at greater risk for serious esophagus problems. These include erosive esophagitis and cancer of the esophagus.
Losing weight will lower your risk of developing GERD. Talk with your health care provider about ways to lose weight.
Weight
Your body mass index (BMI) is . Congratulations! You are at a healthy weight. By staying at
a healthy weight you have lowered your risk of getting GERD.
People who are overweight or obese are 3 times more likely to develop GERD. This is especially true if the extra weight is around
the belly – instead of around the hips. The extra weight around a person’s middle puts more pressure on the stomach. The increased
pressure puts the overweight or obese person at risk for a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of the stomach bulges up into
the chest from its normal place in your belly (abdomen). The bulging makes it easier for stomach acid to move into the esophagus.
Being overweight or obese also puts a person at greater risk for serious esophagus problems. These include erosive esophagitis
and cancer of the esophagus.
Smoking
You told us that you smoke. Smoking may raise your risk for GERD. But the level of risk is still unclear. Quitting smoking may help lower the
risk for GERD in some people. Your secondhand smoke also puts people around you who don’t smoke at higher risk.
Talk with your health care provider about programs that can help you quit smoking.
Smoking
You told us that you don’t smoke. Smoking or breathing secondhand smoke may raise your risk for GERD. But the level of risk is still unclear.
By not smoking, you have eliminated this risk factor.
Family history
You told us you have a parent, brother, sister, or child (first-degree relative) with GERD. GERD appears to run in families. Having
a first-degree relative with GERD makes it up to 2.5 times more likely that you’ll get GERD, too. This is compared with someone who
doesn’t have any relatives with GERD. Remember to share your family history with your health care provider.
Family history
You told us you don’t have a parent, brother, sister, or child (first-degree relative) with GERD. GERD appears to run in families.
Having a first-degree relative with GERD makes it up to 2.5 times more likely that a person will get GERD, too.
Alcohol use
You told us you have more than alcoholic drinks a week. Drinking alcohol may raise your
risk for GERD. But the level of risk based on the amount of alcohol is unclear. Discuss with your healthcare provider your concerns about drinking and the risk of developing GERD.
Asthma
You told us you have asthma. People who have asthma have a higher risk for GERD. GERD is found in 3 to 8 people out of 10 who have
asthma. GERD is also often a trigger for asthma attacks, especially attacks that happen at night.
Talk with your healthcare provider about GERD and asthma. This is especially true if you have problems keeping your asthma under
control.
Information about GERD
GERD is the chronic form of gastroesophageal reflux. Your healthcare provider may diagnose you with GERD if you have symptoms more
than twice a week for several weeks. If not treated, GERD can cause more serious health problems. See your healthcare provider if
you have symptoms of GERD.
Diet
Food and drinks may not be the direct cause of GERD. But if you have GERD,
certain foods or beverages may trigger symptoms. These foods may increase the acid in your stomach or relax the lower esophageal
sphincter, making GERD more likely. It’s best to stay away from:
Coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks (with and without caffeine)
Fatty, fried, or spicy food
Mint, chocolate, onions, tomatoes, garlic, citrus fruits, and alcohol
Any other foods that seem to irritate your stomach or cause you pain
You should also not eat large meals or eat meals just before bedtime. Doing this may trigger GERD symptoms.
Medicines
Certain medicines can raise your risk for GERD. These include:
Antibiotics, especially doxycycline, which is often used for acne
Bisphosphonates
Iron supplements
Pain relievers such as aspirin that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Potassium supplement
Calcium channel blockers
Nitrates
Certain antidepressants
Certain asthma medicines
Discuss with your healthcare provider any concerns you have about the medicines you take.
Managing GERD
GERD is a chronic disease. It can affect your day-to-day life and may lead to more serious conditions. Several treatments are
available. You can also make lifestyle changes to help relieve your symptoms. These include:
Diet changes
Keeping your stomach empty for 2 to 3 hours before lying down
Propping up the head of your bed
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional health care. Always talk with a healthcare provider for
advice concerning your health. Only your healthcare provider can find out if you have GERD.
