For many people, heartburn is more than just an occasional annoyance. These people may suffer from a common digestive problem known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. With GERD, the contents of the stomach flow back up into the esophagus.

According to Dr. Rick McCombs with Paducah Gastroenterology Associates, many things can cause GERD, such as:

• digestive muscles that don’t work properly
• obesity
• pregnancy
• lifestyle.

Although GERD is rarely life-threatening, Dr. McCombs says it can lead to bleeding or ulcers in the esophagus. “Left untreated, GERD may also increase a person’s risk for a type of cancer of the esophagus,” he adds.

Do You Have GERD?
Heartburn and acid regurgitation are the classic signs of GERD. Other signs may include:

• cough
• hoarseness
• chest pain
• nausea
• trouble swallowing.

Your doctor may suggest a special test to check for the condition.

Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle choices often can help ease the discomfort of GERD. These include:

• not smoking
• limiting alcohol
• staying away from foods that have caffeine, onions, tomatoes, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, citrus fruits, or a lot of spices or fat
• losing weight, if overweight
• raising the head of the bed by six inches
• not lying down within three hours after eating
• not wearing tight-fitting clothes
• not eating large meals.

New Medicines
People with GERD sometimes need medications to ease their symptoms. Over-the-counter antacids can stop the acid. But when antacids aren’t enough, other medications can help lower acid.

“Medicines called histamine-2 receptor antagonists also can help cut stomach acid,” says Dr. McCombs. “They are available over the counter and by prescription. For people with more serious cases of GERD, we often prescribe medications called proton pump inhibitors. Most patients with this severity of disease require upper endoscopy for further evaluation of the muscosal damage and to exclude precancerous or cancerous lesions.”

A Surgical Option
Lifestyle changes and medications help most people. Some people, however, may need surgery. Adults who fail to respond to medication or those who experience repetitive severe nighttime heartburn may be in this category.

If you have GERD, your doctor can help you decide the best treatment.