Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive condition in which stomach acid frequently flows back up into the esophagus — the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach. This backward flow, called acid reflux, irritates the lining of the esophagus and causes the burning chest sensation commonly known as heartburn.

At the junction where the esophagus meets the stomach, there's a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that acts as a one-way valve — it opens to let food into the stomach and closes to prevent stomach contents from flowing back up. In GERD, the LES is either weakened or relaxes inappropriately, allowing acidic stomach contents to escape into the esophagus.

Occasional acid reflux is normal — most people experience it from time to time, especially after large or spicy meals. GERD is diagnosed when reflux symptoms occur more than twice a week, are severe enough to interfere with daily life, or cause damage to the esophageal lining. Untreated GERD can lead to complications including esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), strictures (narrowing), Barrett's esophagus (precancerous changes), and rarely, esophageal cancer.

If you experience frequent heartburn, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, difficulty swallowing, or a chronic cough, GERD may be the underlying cause. While over-the-counter antacids provide temporary relief, chronic symptoms warrant medical evaluation to assess for esophageal damage and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Lifestyle modifications are the foundation of GERD management: losing excess weight, avoiding trigger foods, not eating within 3 hours of bedtime, elevating the head of the bed, and not lying down after meals. When lifestyle changes aren't sufficient, medications and occasionally surgical procedures can provide effective long-term control.