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.
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.
But pregnant women have a higher chance of developing it.
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 healthcare 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 upinto your chest from its
normal location in your abdomen (belly). 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 the risk for GERD, although doctors
aren't sure. Quitting smoking may help lower the
risk for GERD in some people. Your secondhand smoke 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 the risk for GERD, although doctors aren't sure. 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 healthcare 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 the risk for GERD. But researchers
aren't sure how much alcohol puts you at risk. One study found that people who had more
than 7 drinks a week had GERD symptoms more often. Other studies found that liquor
raised the risk for GERD, but that wine or beer did not. Discuss with your healthcare
provider your concerns about drinking.
Asthma
You told us you have asthma. People who have asthma are more likely to get 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 health
care 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
Many people think that certain foods cause GERD symptoms. That's
not true: Food and drink don't cause GERD. But if you have GERD, certain foods or
beverages can bring on 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, and alcohol
Any other foods that seem to irritate your stomach or cause you pain
You should also not eat large meals or eating meals just
before bedtime. These can also bring on 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
medicines
Potassium supplement
Calcium channel blockers
Nitrates
Discuss with your health care provider any concerns you have about the medications
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.
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.