The Facts

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is the backflow of stomach contents (including stomach acid) upward into the esophagus, which is the swallowing tube that extends from the mouth to the stomach. The lining of the stomach protects the stomach from the effects of its own acids. Because the esophagus lacks a similar protective lining, stomach acid that flows backward (refluxes) into it causes heartburn (also called dyspepsia).

Many people experience heartburn occasionally; however, people who get severe heartburn several times a week are considered to have GERD.

Causes

GERD occurs when the sphincter, a valve (called the lower esophageal sphincter or "LES")that normally keeps acid in the stomach, isn't functioning properly. Acid that moves from the stomach into the esophagus damages its protective lining and causes inflammation and pain. Risk factors are characteristics that may increase your chance for developing a condition. Risk factors for GERD include:

• age (over 50 years old)
• being overweight or obese
• eating and drinking certain types of foods and drinks (see below)
• having excess abdominal mass
• pregnancy
• smoking
• taking certain medications (e.g., NSAIDs, aspirin, corticosteroids)

The following foods can cause symptoms of GERD, but may not necessarily cause GERD itself:

• alcoholic drinks
• chocolate
• coffee, tea, cola
• foods with high acid content (e.g., tomatoes, orange juice)
• fried or fatty foods
• garlic
• onions
• peppermint
• spicy foods

Some researchers believe that GERD is associated with a condition called hiatus hernia in which a portion of the stomach lining pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. People with severe GERD almost always have a hiatus hernia.