What is GERD? | GERD Symptoms | Treatment | The Takeaway
Overview
Everyone is subject to occasional stomach upset – whether in the form of nausea, heartburn, or any of many potential symptoms. Usually, it’s a fleeting experience that goes away alone or can be treated by over-the-counter antacids or other stomach remedies.
But, when the heartburn becomes frequent or happens regularly and feels like burning chest pain, you may be dealing with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
On its own, it is not a significant threat to one’s health, but it can be a sign of other, more serious health concerns, so let’s take a closer look at this relatively common stomach ailment.
What is GERD?
GERD is a chronic gastrointestinal condition where the highly acidic contents of the stomach are involuntarily regurgitated into the esophagus, causing unpleasant and often painful symptoms.
In the US, it is one of the most common stomach disorders occurring in about 20 percent of the population.[1]
The disease can be classified into three types:
1) Non-Erosive Reflux Disease (NERD) – The most common form of GERD – where the condition causes symptoms, but the esophagus is unharmed by stomach acid.[2]
2) Erosive Esophagitis (EE) – The inflammation, irritation, or swelling of the lining of the esophagus characterizes this form of GERD. The condition can come with heartburn, chest pain, and trouble swallowing.[3]
3) Barrett’s Esophagus (BE) – This form of GERD is characterized by the continuous flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (acid reflux). Over time, the acid starts to change the cells in the lining of the esophagus, causing it to thicken and inflame. This condition is linked to a higher chance of developing esophageal cancer.[4]
Risk factors for developing GERD are being overweight, smoking, older age, anxiety, and depression, as well as lack of physical activity.[5]
Additionally, those who are pregnant may experience GERD symptoms.
GERD Symptoms
The most common symptom of GERD by far is heartburn in varying degrees of intensity.
It can feel like a mild burning/discomfort in the upper stomach area or can be severe enough to cause the person to think they are having heart attack symptoms.
Sometimes it can feel like food is being regurgitated into the mouth with an acidic aftertaste. Other symptoms could include:
- Nausea
- Bad breath
- Tooth enamel wear
- Trouble swallowing
- Trouble breathing
- A lump in your throat sensation
Many people can experience symptoms of GERD at night – likely due to the flat sleeping position, which can allow stomach contents to flow upwards into the esophagus.
Some specific nighttime symptoms include an ongoing cough, laryngitis, and asthma.
Treatment
Fortunately, there are multiple methods to treat GERD. Medical interventions include:
- Over-the-counter antacids
- Prescription H2 blockers, medications that work to block the over-secretion of stomach acid
- Proton pump inhibitors block specific proteins that create stomach acid
- Prokinetics are prescribed to empty the stomach faster and lessen the chance of acid buildup.
Lifestyle factors can have a massive influence on the management of GERD.
Losing weight, quitting smoking, sleeping on an incline (to allow stomach contents to stay below the esophagus), and not going to bed too soon after eating can all help.
Additionally, food-based triggers that should be avoided include:
- Tomato-based foods such as pizza, pasta sauces, and salsa
- Fried, fatty foods
- Citrus fruits
- Mint
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Carbonated drinks
The Takeaway
Although GERD can cause disruptive and painful symptoms, it’s rarely life-threatening.
However, it is essential to remember that it can indicate health concerns that need more immediate and intensive attention for some people.
If you experience symptoms of GERD and over-the-counter antacids and lifestyle changes don’t help, please speak to your doctor.
References:
- Antunes, C., Aleem, A., & Curtis, S. A. (2022). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
- Long, J. D., & Orlando, R. C. (2008). Nonerosive reflux disease: a pathophysiologic perspective. Current gastroenterology reports, 10(3), 200–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-008-0044-5
- Antunes, C., & Sharma, A. (2022). Esophagitis. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
- Shaheen, N. J., Falk, G. W., Iyer, P. G., Souza, R. F., Yadlapati, R. H., Sauer, B. G., & Wani, S. (2022). Diagnosis and Management of Barrett’s Esophagus: An Updated ACG Guideline. The American journal of gastroenterology, 117(4), 559–587. https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000001680
- Clarrett, D. M., & Hachem, C. (2018). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Missouri medicine, 115(3), 214–218.
