Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Everyone gets heartburn once in a while. But if you get heartburn two or more times a week, it could be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In GERD, stomach acid splashes up into the esophagus due to a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—a ring of muscle that normally contains stomach acid.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Journey

Chronic Heartburn? Don’t Just Ignore It

GERD is no joke. Chronic, prolonged acid reflux can damage the esophagus, causing a precancerous condition called Barrett's esophagus, or even esophageal cancer. However, you can get GERD under control with lifestyle changes, prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, and even surgery, if necessary.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease News

Chronic Heartburn a Growing Problem in U.S.
By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, Jan. 5 (HealthDay News) — Heartburn and acid reflux strike many people as an annoying and painful but ultimately harmless problem — a result of overindulgence and gluttony that must be endured, much like a hangover after a night of drinking. But frequent bouts of heartburn and reflux constitute a real medical [...]
Endometriosis Tied to Higher Risk of Crohn’s, Colitis
By Denise MannHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Dec. 19 (HealthDay News) — Women with endometriosis may be up to 80 percent more likely to develop inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis compared to women without the uterine disorder, according to a new long-term study. Endometriosis occurs when the uterine lining — the [...]
Holiday Foods May Trigger GERD Symptoms
SUNDAY, Nov. 20 (HealthDay News) — Holiday foods and feasts can cause trouble for the estimated 30 million Americans with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but there are things they can do to be comfortable and symptom-free, experts advise. GERD occurs when a faulty valve between the stomach and esophagus allows stomach contents to flow back into [...]
‘Fecal Transplants’ Show Promise for Gastrointestinal Ills
By Amanda GardnerHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Nov. 1 (HealthDay News) — They sound disgusting, but doctors say “fecal transplants” — once shunned by the medical establishment — are proving useful against a range of gastrointestinal ailments, new research says. Presenting at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting in Washington, D.C., researchers report that the therapy can ease [...]
Stress, Dust of 9/11 Linked to Acid Reflux
People exposed to the terror and dust of the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center have higher rates of asthma and post-traumatic stress than those who were further away from Ground Zero. But they also have high rates of a less obvious health problem: heartburn.