What is gerd?

Reflux means that stomach acid and juices flow from the stomach back up into the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This causes heartburn. When you have heartburn that bothers you often, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This can also cause pain and swelling in your esophagus (esophagitis).

Eating too much late at night or before lying down sometimes can cause heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth. But having heartburn from time to time doesn't mean that you have GERD. With GERD, the reflux and heartburn last longer and happen more often.

The main symptoms of GERD are:

• Ongoing (persistent) heartburn. Heartburn is an uncomfortable feeling or burning pain behind the breastbone. It may occur after you eat, soon after you lie down, or when you bend forward. Some people have GERD without heartburn.
• A sour or bitter taste in the mouth. This is caused by the backflow of stomach acid and juices into the esophagus.

Other symptoms may include:

• Chest pain. If you have pain in your chest, it is important to make sure that it isn't caused by a problem with your heart.
  • The pain caused by GERD usually happens after you eat. It may occur with heartburn.
  • Pain from the heart usually feels like heaviness, tightness, discomfort, or a dull ache. It occurs most often after you are active.
• Hoarseness.
• Trouble swallowing (more common with advanced GERD).
• A feeling that something is stuck in your throat.
• A cough.
• Having extra saliva.
• Nausea.

To find out if you have GERD, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your health. Your doctor may ask about your symptoms, such as whether you often have heartburn. If you do have heartburn often, your doctor may suggest a medicine that reduces or blocks stomach acid.

If your heartburn goes away after you take the medicine, your doctor will probably diagnose GERD. You may or may not need any tests.

If medicines don't help, you may have tests. These tests may include:

• An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
• Esophageal tests.
• An upper-gastrointestinal X-ray series.

Treatment aims to reduce reflux, prevent damage to your esophagus, and prevent problems caused by GERD.

For mild symptoms, try over-the-counter medicines such as:

• Antacids (like Tums).
• H2 blockers (like Pepcid).
• Proton pump inhibitors (like Prilosec).

Lifestyle changes are important. You can:

• Eat several small meals instead of three large meals.
• Wait 2 to 3 hours after eating before lying down.
• Avoid foods that make your symptoms worse. These may include chocolate, mint, alcohol, pepper, spicy foods, high-fat foods, or drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee, colas, or energy drinks. If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating it to see if your symptoms get better.
• Raise the head of your bed 6 in. (15 cm) to 8 in. (20 cm) .
• Lose weight if needed. Losing just 5 lb (2 kg) to 10 lb (5 kg) can help.

If symptoms persist, possible next steps include a change in medicine or testing. Your doctor may recommend surgery to strengthen the valve between your esophagus and stomach.

• Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter medicine. For mild or occasional indigestion, antacids, such as Tums, Gaviscon, Mylanta, or Maalox, may help. Your doctor also may recommend over-the-counter acid reducers, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC), cimetidine (Tagamet HB), or omeprazole (Prilosec). Read and follow all instructions on the label. If you use these medicines often, talk with your doctor.
• Change your eating habits.
  • It's best to eat several small meals instead of two or three large meals.
  • After you eat, wait 2 to 3 hours before you lie down.
  • Avoid foods that make your symptoms worse. These may include chocolate, mint, alcohol, pepper, spicy foods, high-fat foods, or drinks with caffeine in them, such as tea, coffee, colas, or energy drinks. If your symptoms are worse after you eat a certain food, you may want to stop eating it to see if your symptoms get better.
• Do not smoke or chew tobacco. Smoking can make GERD worse. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• If you have GERD symptoms at night, raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches by putting the frame on blocks or placing a foam wedge under the head of your mattress. (Adding extra pillows does not work.)
• Do not wear tight clothing around your middle.
• Lose weight if you need to. Losing just 5 to 10 pounds can help.