|  | Conditions Treatments | Heartburn GERD

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a dysfunction of the muscle between the stomach and esophagus that causes it to remain open and allow stomach acid into the esophagus. Stomach acid damages the lining of the esophagus, causing many symptoms and health conditions.

  1. Symptoms

    • Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. Other symptoms include chest pain, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing, nausea and a persistent cough.

    Contributing Factors

    • Doctors aren't sure what causes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle dysfunction. Possible contributing factors include hiatal hernia, obesity, smoking and pregnancy.

    Food to Avoid

    • Although food doesn't cause GERD, some foods worsen symptoms, including tomatoes and citrus, mint, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and fatty and fried food. Discontinue these foods and reintroduce them one at a time to find out which ones irritate your condition.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Lose weight, stop smoking and wear loose clothing. Eat smaller meals more often, don't lie down for three hours after eating, lie on your left side, and raise the head of your bed 4 to 8 inches by putting wood blocks under bedposts.

    Treatment

    • If lifestyle changes don't relieve symptoms you may need medication to neutralize stomach acid, decrease acid production, empty the stomach faster, strengthen the LES muscle, or cover stomach contents to relieve reflux.

    Medical Procedures

    • A medical procedure to stretch the esophagus or surgery to fix the LES muscle may be necessary if medicine and lifestyle changes don't work.

Heartburn GERD - Related Articles