GERD

Heartburn is caused by acid reflux. If you had to describe the feeling, you’d say it feels like acid is running up and down your esophagus, the tube that leads from your mouth to your stomach. That’s exactly what it is.

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is the medical condition that causes frequent heartburn symptoms. Heartburn-causing acid reflux occurs when the valve at the bottom of your food pipe doesn’t stay closed. Food and acid from your stomach flow back up into your esophagus.

Not everyone who has heartburn is likely to be diagnosed with GERD, but GERD is a common diagnosis if you suffer from heartburn often enough. GERD is not usually dangerous, but it’s often painful and inconvenient. If you don’t have it treated, it can create other health problems over time.

Stop Heartburn Now

Your lifestyle and diet actually play big roles in stopping the uncomfortable symptoms of heartburn. Overeating, eating too fast and eating before bedtime make you more likely to get heartburn or to inflame GERD symptoms. Obesity and wearing your belt too tight contribute to the abdominal pain you feel.

Fortunately, there are effective treatments for heartburn, and you can prevent it from coming back. Your best first move is to consult with a gastroenterologist. Your doctor suggests medications and lifestyle changes to make that eliminate, or at least reduce, your heartburn and GERD.

What Causes GERD?

Other lifestyle choices cause heartburn, which eventually can lead to GERD. These include:

• Smoking cigarettes
• Drinking alcohol frequently
• Overusing over-the-counter pain medicines, such as aspirin and ibuprofen
• Eating chocolate, spicy food, citrus, peppermint, tomatoes and fatty foods
• Drinking beverages that contain caffeine

Underlying medical conditions also may be the culprit. These causes include:

• Gastritis
• Ulcers
• Allergies
• Hiatal hernia
• Pregnancy

What’s Going on with GERD and Heartburn?

GERD and heartburn both happen when your stomach contents move backward, up into your esophagus. A valve at the bottom of your esophagus is designed to let food into your stomach. If it malfunctions, food and stomach acid pass the other way.

Acid reflux is common. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux. Your heartburn may even be accompanied by regurgitation. GERD is a more severe case of heartburn; it often leads to coughing or feeling like you have a lump in your throat.

Is Heartburn Dangerous?

Consulting with a professional expert is always your best move. Heartburn and GERD can be painful, and they may even keep you up at night or cause vomiting. Untreated, the conditions can lead to complications.

In addition to the discomfort of constant and severe acid reflux, you may develop a host of other complications over time. Complications include:

• Esophagitis or an inflamed esophagus
• Ulcers or sores that bleed, either in your stomach or esophagus
• Scar tissue formation that makes your esophagus narrower, which cause swallowing or breathing difficulties
• Barrett’s esophagus, a disease that puts you at a higher risk of developing esophageal cancer

Treatment and Prevention

Even if you just have occasional heartburn, consulting with experts clarifies your options. Once your doctor confirms that you don’t have a more serious underlying condition, you’re given a set of recommendations for lifestyle changes that may include:

• Eating healthier
• Avoiding trigger foods and drinks
• Losing weight
• Quitting smoking
• Raising your head in bed

Taking too many over-the-counter heartburn remedies lead to complications. Your gastroenterologist provides guidelines as to how to use them most effectively.