What Is GERD?

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It happens when stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach). While occasional acid reflux is normal, GERD is when this happens frequently—at least twice a week for several weeks.

Symptoms of GERD

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn—a burning feeling in your chest that often gets worse after eating or when lying down. You may also taste sour or bitter liquid in the back of your throat.

Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing, feeling like there's a lump in your throat, chronic cough, and chest pain. Some people experience a sore throat or hoarse voice, especially in the morning.

What Causes GERD?

At the bottom of your esophagus is a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This muscle normally opens to let food into your stomach and closes to keep it there. When the LES doesn't close properly or opens too often, stomach acid can escape into your esophagus.

Several factors increase your risk of GERD, including being overweight, smoking, pregnancy, and having a hiatal hernia. Certain foods and drinks like fatty foods, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol can also make symptoms worse.

How to Treat GERD

Lifestyle changes are often the first step in treating GERD. These include losing weight if needed, not eating 2-3 hours before bedtime, raising the head of your bed, and avoiding trigger foods. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol can also help.

If lifestyle changes aren't enough, your doctor may recommend medications. Over-the-counter antacids can provide quick relief. H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes. PPIs are the most effective medical treatment for GERD.

For severe cases that don't respond to medication, surgery may be an option. Your doctor can discuss whether this is right for you.

When to See a Doctor

See your doctor if you have heartburn more than twice a week, symptoms that don't improve with over-the-counter medications, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss. These could be signs of a more serious condition that needs treatment.