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 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
YesNo
Height:
feetinches Weight:
lbs.
YesNo
YesNo
YesNo
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. Many women will 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 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 that 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 doctor 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 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 doctor 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 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 raises the 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 doctor 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 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 doctor.
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 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 doctor
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 also often a trigger for asthma attacks, especially attacks
that happen at night.
Talk with your doctor 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 doctor
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 doctor
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 eat meals just before
bedtime. Doing this may trigger GERD symptoms.
Medicines
Certain medicines can raise your risk for GERD. These include:
Certain antibiotics.
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 doctor 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 health care. Always talk with a doctor for advice concerning
your health. Only your doctor can find out if you have GERD.
