If you feel a painful, burning sensation in your chest 30 minutes to 2 hours
after you eat, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Most people get
this
burning feeling - called heartburn - every now and then. But when you get heartburn
often
or regularly, you may have GERD.
GERD is also called acid reflux disease. The pain may start in your stomach
and move up to the middle of your chest. You may even feel pain in your throat. You
may
also have regurgitation. This means the contents of your stomach (liquid or food)
moves up
into the esophagus. GERD symptoms can happen any time. They are common after meals.
GERD is caused when a one-way valve in your food tube (esophagus) doesn't
work as it should. Normally, the valve opens when you swallow food or drink. The valve
allows food to enter your stomach, then closes quickly. With GERD, the valve allows
food
and stomach acid to travel back (reflux) into your esophagus.
About 1 or 2 out of 10 adults in the U.S. have GERD. Learn about the risks you may
have for this condition by taking this
assessment.
Note: A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a
disease. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean you will
get
the disease. And some people who get GERD may not have had any known risk
factors.
FemaleMale
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Height:
feetinches Weight:
lbs.
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Your results
Age
You told us you are years old. In
general, getting older doesn't increase the risk of getting GERD. But older adults
may
be more likely to have serious esophagus problems that are tied to GERD. These include
an inflammation of the esophagus called erosive esophagitis. Another is Barrett's
esophagus. This condition may lead to cancer. Researchers think these problems happen
in
older adults because they may have lived with GERD for years without getting treated.
Gender
You told us you are . Both men
and women have about the same chance of getting GERD.
Pregnancy
You told us you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. Pregnancy increases the
risk for GERD symptoms. About 4 to 8 women
in 10 have GERD symptoms at some point during their pregnancy. The symptoms are more
common as your due date approaches. Women
who gain more weight than normal during pregnancy may be more likely to develop GERD
symptoms. The symptoms usually go away
after the baby is born.
Weight
Your body mass index (BMI) is . A
BMI of greater than 30 means you are obese. Obesity makes it 3 times more likely that
you'll develop GERD. This is especially true if your extra weight is around your belly
instead of around your hips. The extra weight around your middle puts more pressure
on
your stomach. The increased pressure puts you at risk for a hiatal hernia. A hiatal
hernia means part of your stomach bulges up into your chest from its normal place
in
your belly (abdomen). The bulging makes it easier for stomach acid to move into your
esophagus.
Obesity also puts you at greater risk for serious esophagus problems. These include
erosive esophagitis and cancer of the esophagus.
Losing weight will lower your risk of developing GERD. Talk with
your healthcare provider about ways to lose weight.
Weight
Your body mass index (BMI) is . A
BMI between 25 and 30 means you are overweight. Being overweight may make it 3 times
more likely that you'll develop GERD. This is especially true if your extra weight
is
around your belly - instead of around your hips. The extra weight around your middle
puts more pressure on your stomach. The increased pressure puts you at risk for a
hiatal
hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of your stomach bulges up into your chest from
its
normal location in your belly (abdomen). The bulging makes it easier for stomach acid
to
move into your esophagus.
Being overweight also puts you at greater risk for serious esophagus problems. These
include erosive esophagitis and cancer of the esophagus.
Losing weight will lower your risk of developing GERD. Talk with your health care
provider about ways to lose weight.
Weight
Your body mass index (BMI) is . Congratulations! You are at a healthy weight. By staying at
a healthy weight you have lowered your risk of getting GERD.
People who are overweight or obese are 3 times more likely to
develop GERD. This is especially true if the extra weight is around the belly - instead
of around the hips. The extra weight around a person's middle puts more pressure on
the
stomach. The increased pressure puts the overweight or obese person at risk for a
hiatal
hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of the stomach bulges up into the chest from its
normal place in your belly (abdomen). The bulging makes it easier for stomach acid
to
move into the esophagus.
Being overweight or obese also puts a person at greater risk for serious esophagus
problems. These include erosive esophagitis
and cancer of the esophagus.
Smoking
You told us that you smoke. Smoking may raise your risk for GERD.
But the level of risk is still unclear. Quitting smoking may help lower the risk for
GERD in some people. Your secondhand smoke puts people around you who don't smoke
at
higher risk as well.
Talk with your health care provider about programs that can help you quit smoking.
Smoking
You told us that you don't smoke. Smoking or breathing secondhand
smoke may raise your risk for GERD. But the level of risk is still unclear. By not
smoking, you have eliminated this risk factor.
Family history
You told us you have a parent, brother, sister, or child
(first-degree relative) with GERD. GERD appears to run in families. Having a
first-degree relative with GERD makes it up to 2.5 times more likely that you'll get
GERD, too. This is compared with someone who doesn't have any relatives with GERD.
Remember to share your family history with your healthcare provider.
Family history
You told us you don't have a parent, brother, sister, or child (first-degree relative)
with GERD. GERD appears to run in families.
Having a first-degree relative with GERD makes it up to 2.5 times more likely that
a person will get GERD, too.
Alcohol use
You told us you have more than
alcoholic drinks a week. Drinking alcohol may raise your risk for GERD. But the level
of risk based on the amount of alcohol consumed is unclear. . . Discuss with your
healthcare provider your concerns about drinking and the possible risk of developing
GERD.
Asthma
You told us you have asthma. People who have asthma have a higher
risk for GERD. GERD is found in 3 to 8 people out of 10 who have asthma. GERD is also
often a trigger for asthma attacks, especially attacks that happen at night.
Talk with your healthcare provider about GERD and asthma. This is
especially true if you have problems keeping your asthma under control.
Information about GERD
GERD is the chronic form of gastroesophageal reflux. Your health
care provider may diagnose you with GERD if you have symptoms more than twice a week
for
several weeks. If not treated, GERD can cause more serious health problems. See your
healthcare provider if you have symptoms of GERD.
Diet
Food and drinks may not be the direct cause of GERD. But if you
have GERD, certain foods or beverages may trigger symptoms. These foods may increase
the acid in your stomach or relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making GERD more
likely. It's best to stay away from:
Coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks (with and without caffeine)
Fatty, fried, or spicy food
Mint, chocolate, onions, tomatoes, garlic, citrus fruits, and alcohol
Any other foods that seem to irritate your stomach or cause you pain
You should also not eat large meals or eati meals just
before bedtime. Doing this may trigger GERD symptoms.
Medicines
Certain medicines can raise your risk for GERD. These include:
Antibiotics, especially doxycycline, which is often used for acne
Bisphosphonates
Iron supplements
Pain relievers such as aspirin that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs)
Potassium supplement
Calcium channel blockers
Nitrates
Certain antidepressants
Certain asthma medicines
Discuss with your healthcare provider any concerns you
have about the medicines you take.
Managing GERD
GERD is a chronic disease. It can affect your day-to-day life and
may lead to more serious conditions. Several treatments are available. You can also
make
lifestyle changes to help relieve your symptoms. These include: Diet changes, Keeping
your stomach empty for 2 to 3 hours before lying down,Propping the head of your bed
up.
This information is not intended as a
substitute for professional healthcare. Always talk with a healthcare provider for
advice
concerning your health. Only your healthcare provider can find out if you have GERD.