GERD or Acid Reflux Disease

GERD stands for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease. It is a condition in which acid, bile and partially-digested food in the stomach back up into the esophagus. When "refluxed" stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn. The fluid may even reach the back of the mouth, and this is called acid indigestion.

The following are several contributing factors that weaken or relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making reflux worse:
- Eating habits: eating large meals or soon before bedtime
- Lying down: especially in about two hours after a meal, gravity helps to keep the stomach juices from backing up into the esophagus, assists the flow of food and digestive juices from the stomach to the intestines
- Wearing belts or clothes that are tight fitting around the waist
- Drinking alcohol, caffeine drinks
- Eating fatty, fried foods and acid foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, spicy foods, mint flavorings
- Lifestyle: use of alcohol or cigarettes, obesity, poor posture (slouching)
- Other medical conditions: Hiatal hernia, pregnancy, diabetes, rapid weight gain

Symptoms
The symptoms in GERD or Acid Reflux Disease are closely related to the back up of acid and other materials from the stomach into the esophagus. It should be noted that the symptoms are not always present; sometimes they can disappear for weeks at a time, but come back after a while. Heartburn and chest pain is the most common of them. It is the unpleasant burning sensation felt into the chest, that can get worse if a person lies down, is lifting or after having a heavy meal. Sometimes the burning sensation moves into the throat area, along with a sour taste, as if the food has come back to the throat. It can resemble those of a heart attack or other heart disease. The symptoms may also be similar to those of an ulcer, gallstones, or pancreatitis.

Self-Care
- Take prescribed medications
- Maintain a reasonable weight. Obesity increases abdominal pressure, which can then push stomach contents up into the esophageal.
- Watch what you eat. If you suffer from acid reflux, you need to know what foods are safe and to avoid.
- Don't eat large meals. Eating a lot of food at one time increases the amount of acid needed to digest it. Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Don't eat within 3 hours of bedtime.
- Don’t wear belts or clothes that are tight fitting around the waist.
- Don’t lie down for about two hours after eating.
- Avoid fatty or greasy foods, chocolate, caffeine, mints or mint-flavored foods, spicy foods, citrus, and tomato-based foods. These foods decrease the competence of the LES.

Complications of Long-Term GERD
GERD is a chronic condition and may lead to more serious medical conditions, but is treatable. If the disease is not treated effectively, the constant acid reflux can irritate the lining of the esophagus, and serious complication can occur. The more serious complications of GERD that may occur are Barrett's esophagus, esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, erosive esophagitis, and esophageal strictures.

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