What is GERD?

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  1. Dr. Mehmet Oz
     
    Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:
    GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It refers to frequent, ongoing back up of stomach acid into the esophagus, which connects the throat and stomach. This animation shows what happens in GERD.






    More Related Answers from Dr. Mehmet Oz
    GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It refers to frequent, ongoing back up of stomach acid into the esophagus, which connects the throat and stomach. This animation shows what happens in GERD. More
  2.  Stacy Wiegman
     
    Stacy Wiegman answered:
    GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux, or GER, is the more common condition. Both are caused by spontaneous openings of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES opens, stomach contents flood into the esophagus causing a burning sensation or discomfort. When this type of reflux happens more than twice a week, it is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD can cause permanent damage to the esophagus and can be experienced with or without heartburn.
    More Related Answers from Stacy Wiegman
    GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux, or GER, is the more common condition. Both are caused by spontaneous openings of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When the LES opens, stomach contents flood into... More
  3. Johns Hopkins Medicine
     
    When heartburn, also known as acid reflux or acid regurgitation, becomes severe or chronic it is called GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Heartburn is extremely common, affecting 1 in 5 adults weekly. The burning sensation associated with GERD is caused by stomach acid flowing backward out of the stomach into the esophagus.
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    More Related Answers from Johns Hopkins Medicine
    When heartburn, also known as acid reflux or acid regurgitation, becomes severe or chronic it is called GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Heartburn is extremely common, affecting 1 in 5 adults weekly. The burning sensation... More
  4. Dr. Ralph Aye
     
    Dr. Ralph Aye of Swedish answered:
    Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common disorder of the upper intestinal tract, infecting a large percentage of the American population. GERD is also known as heartburn, acid reflux, or indigestion. It is estimated that at least 47 percent of the American population takes medication for GERD at least once a month. For most people, GERD is a nuisance, but for 10 to 15 percent of people, it is a significant problem that can interfere with daily life.
    Helpful? 1 person found this helpful
    More Related Answers from Swedish
    Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common disorder of the upper intestinal tract, infecting a large percentage of the American population. GERD is also known as heartburn, acid reflux, or indigestion. It is estimated that at... More
  5. Discovery Health
     
    Discovery Health answered:

    GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, also is called acid reflux disease. Suffers experience almost-constant heartburn. Heartburn is the pain or discomfort felt from reflux, when the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, either randomly relaxes or doesn't close completely. Then stomach acid flows back into the esophagus.

    More Related Answers from Discovery Health
    GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, also is called acid reflux disease. Suffers experience almost-constant heartburn. Heartburn is the pain or discomfort felt from reflux, when the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve that separates the... More
  6. Dr. Robin Miller
     
    Dr. Robin Miller answered:

    Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the liquid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus. Interestingly, the majority of people have reflux; however those with GERD have contents with a greater amount of acid that go higher into the esophagus and stay in contact with it longer.

    Some of the risk factors for GERD include: obesity, having a hiatal hernia, pregnancy, smoking, and diabetes and wearing tight pants.

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    Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the liquid contents of the stomach back up into the esophagus. Interestingly, the majority of people have reflux; however those with GERD have contents with a greater amount of acid that go higher into the... More
  7. Dr. Michael T Murray
     

    Nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) is a medical term often used to label indigestion and/or heartburn that is not related to an ulcer. Another common term for similar symptoms is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The main symptoms of GERD are heartburn and/or upper abdominal pain.

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    More Related Answers from Dr. Michael T Murray
    Nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) is a medical term often used to label indigestion and/or heartburn that is not related to an ulcer. Another common term for similar symptoms is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The main symptoms of GERD are heartburn... More
  8. Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine
     
    GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. There is a muscle at the end of the esophagus that closes to prevent contents of the stomach from coming back up. Things that can weaken this muscle include a hernia in your stomach, elevated levels of calcium, and obesity. Once this muscle weakens, the acidic contents of the stomach can wash back, or reflux, into the lower esophagus. When this happens, you can experience pain, develop a chronic cough, wheeze, and have a foul taste in your mouth. There are many treatments for GERD, including medications and changing food, but the best treatment is to treat the underlying cause such as obesity.
    GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. The esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. There is a muscle at the end of the esophagus that closes to prevent contents of the stomach from coming back up. Things... More
  9. Dr. Roshini Raj
     
    Dr. Roshini Raj answered:

    GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is caused when stomach acid refluxes back up into the esophagus, causing inflammation or pain. Watch gastroenterologist Roshini Raj, MD, discuss common symptoms like heartburn, coughing or trouble swallowing.




    More Related Answers from Dr. Roshini Raj
    GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is caused when stomach acid refluxes back up into the esophagus, causing inflammation or pain. Watch gastroenterologist Roshini Raj, MD, discuss common symptoms like heartburn, coughing or trouble... More