GERD affects about 20% of the US population alone, and that’s only taking into account people who actually know they’re suffering from this digestive disorder. So it’s definitely something you need to know about. The term GERD is often used interchangeably with other issues such as acid reflux, heartburn, acid regurgitation, and indigestion, but none of these is the same thing. GERD is a more serious and chronic form of acid reflux, and this is what often causes the symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, and regurgitation.

If you suffer from GERD, it means that the contents of your stomach often flow backward up into your esophagus and even into your mouth. Once food has reached your stomach, it’s in the middle of the digestive process which means acid has been produced to help break it down. This acid doesn’t cause any issue in your stomach because you have a thick mucus lining in your gut that prevents the acid from burning through and basically stops your stomach from eating itself! However, you don’t have this thick mucus protecting your esophagus, so when acid travels up that direction – it’s a problem.

If you only suffer from acid reflux now and then, it may never develop into GERD. But if you’re suffering from symptoms on a regular basis, then GERD is definitely a strong possibility and one you need to be aware of.

So Why Won’t Your Acid Stay Put?

If you’re having acid reflux issues, it’s often due to an issue with your lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES). This is a small muscle that opens when you’re swallowing and closes when food is being digested. Sometimes this muscle weakens and/or stops working properly, so it starts to open up when it shouldn’t. This is how stomach acid sneaks back up your esophagus.

There are a number of risk factors and triggers for GERD that are useful in identifying what has set off your acid reflux and how you can manage your symptoms to prevent it from occurring as often, or at all.

Pregnancy is a massive risk factor for this digestive disease due to hormonal changes that cause the LES to relax, and the problem of increased pressure on the abdomen. Most women will experience heartburn at some point during pregnancy and some have to deal with it on a daily basis. Other common factors that put yourself at risk for acid reflux include an unhealthy weight, smoking, specific foods such as chocolate, citrus fruits, spicy or fried foods (especially red meat,) high-fat dairy, tomato, onions, and peppermint. If you do suffer from reflux that’s triggered by eating these (or other foods) you should obviously avoid them or cut down as much as possible. 

In addition, people suffering from GERD are advised to avoid eating large meals and specifically avoid eating soon before bed or before lying down. If you sit down to a massive dinner, you might enjoy it at the time but trust me – you won’t enjoy it when the pressure on your sphincter muscle opens it up and gives your stomach acid freedom to fly up into your throat. Not lying down soon after eating is a pretty standard one also; your digestive system can move food down your tract more easily when you’re sitting upright. If you lie down, it could easily travel backward again and set off your reflux.

One of the best ways to manage your GERD is to keep a food diary to track your trigger foods and eliminate anything that causes your acid reflux to kick off. You should also consider adding natural supplements to your diet that have been proven to help neutralize stomach acid and soothe the gut. This is the best way to make sure you’re giving your gut the environment it needs to heal and thrive.

Hiatal Hernia and GERD

Another serious concern that can leave you susceptible to GERD is having a hiatal hernia. This type of hernia occurs when the top part of your stomach pushes up through an opening of your diaphragm into your chest cavity. This happens when the diaphragm muscle is weakened. Once that muscle is weak, any kind of strain like coughing, vomiting, or lifting heaving objects, can increase pressure on your abdomen and push your stomach up into your esophagus. Some people can have a hiatal hernia for years without ever knowing, whilst others get GERD symptoms almost immediately. Treatment ranges from self-care and management to medications or surgery, but generally starts with adjusting your diet and lifestyle habits to try to get things under control before further intervention.

What’s in Your Medicine Cabinet?

If you take certain medications such as those taken for high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, pain, depression, and insomnia you may be at an increased risk of GERD. It’s very important not to stop taking any medication your doctor has prescribed without first consulting them, however this may be something you want to discuss with your practitioner if you are experiencing symptoms of acid reflux.

When GERD Gets Complicated

Many people with GERD never have more serious complications, but it’s important to be aware that it can lead to more severe problems without proper treatment and management.

• The buildup of scar tissue from the damage to your esophagus can cause it to narrow, leading to what’s known as an esophageal stricture. This can cause issues with swallowing and often requires surgical removal.
• Tissue damage in your esophagus can result in an open sore called an esophageal ulcer. This can be very painful and again causes swallowing difficulties.
• On the more severe end of the spectrum, GERD patients can develop a precarious condition called Barrett’s Esophagus. This usually happens when GERD has gone untreated for a long period of time. When this happens, the lining of the esophagus changes to look more like the lining of the intestines. Ironically, whilst this actually reduces the symptoms of heartburn, it increases your risk of developing esophageal cancer. The risk is low considering recent studies. Initially, it was thought that people suffering from Barrett’s Esophagus had a 30-125 times greater risk of developing cancer relative to the general population, which was about 0.5%. But recent studies have shown this to be a much lower figure of 0.12% – 0.18%.

However small the percentage, it is important to note that it is possible for GERD to develop into esophageal cancer if left untreated. This cancer does not have a good prognosis so it is in your best interest to do everything you can to treat and manage your GERD as early as possible.