We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

What is GERD?

By Sheri Cyprus
Updated Feb 16, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is the excessive flow of stomach acid into the esophagus, which can damage the esophagus and other parts of the body. Severe and/or frequent heartburn is the main symptom of this condition. GERD can create harmful complications in the body if left untreated.

The esophagus is used for swallowing, and GERD sufferers experience heartburn as the main symptom, often right after a meal. Food aggravates this condition, but not necessarily spicy food — although spicy food can make symptoms worse in some patients. Food fills up the stomach and the stomach produces more stomach acid. The esophageal sphincter, which is gate-like and located at the lower section of the esophagus, is supposed to remain closed and only open when liquids or foods are being swallowed. However, in many GERD patients, the esophageal sphincter is "relaxing" more than it should and is letting in excess stomach acid.

Stomach acid easily escapes from the relaxed esophageal sphincter; this escaping or flowing is called "refluxing." Heartburn occurs when the stomach acid creates a burning sensation. Some people with GERD also experience coughing, wheezing, or asthma due to stomach acid connecting with the lungs. Inflammation of the vocal chords resulting in hoarseness can also be a symptom. Stomach acid is very strong and can erode tooth enamel as some sufferers experience reflux of stomach acid into the mouth.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that seven million Americans have GERD. Anyone can develop this condition, but it is most common in those between 40 and 64 years of age. Almost everyone will or has experienced heartburn, but not all heartburn is related to GERD. The term has been used for 20 years, but still is not commonly known even by some doctors.

A hiatus hernia is sometimes confused with GERD, but is not the same thing. A hiatus hernia is a dislocated stomach. GERD patients may also have a hiatus hernia if they have complications from the condition, such as erosive esophagitis. Erosive esophagitis is a broken esophageal lining. Other complications include esophageal stricture, or narrowing of the esophagus, and esophageal ulcer.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By JavaGhoul — On Mar 04, 2011

Foods which interact badly with the stomach and can lead to this issue include greasy foods such as hamburgers and manufactured meats. Big meat companies are recognizing the importance of changing their practices for the sake of a changing demand for junk foods and higher expectations in terms of how they handle and process animals.

By SilentBlue — On Mar 02, 2011

Focusing on keeping a healthy diet and seeking to fully understand exactly what you are ingesting on a daily basis are two helpful steps toward avoiding or dealing with GERD. This will not only affect your intestines and digestive tract positively, but will enable you to feel better on a regular basis, improving your brain and vitality.

By BostonIrish — On Feb 28, 2011

GERD can cause bad breath and upsets the normal functioning of a social life and business. It is essential to catch this issue early and adjust diet and exercise accordingly. If you spend the entire day sitting and/or eating junk food and drinking beer, than you may need to adjust these habits since they can be a very direct cause of GERD.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.