What is GERD?

What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is often what people have when they think they are experiencing heartburn. After eating a nice big meal, your stomach is active and produces lots of acid. In people with GERD, this stomach activity isn’t contained and moves back up into the throat, producing that unpleasant feeling of heartburn or nausea. Medical term time! Gastroesophageal means the stomach and esophagus. Reflux disease is referring to stomach contents flowing backwards. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition when stomach materials (which can be both acidic or non-acidic) flow back up into the esophagus (IFFGD, 2014). According to Google, GERD is a “digestive disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining” (Google, 2015).

Mayoclinic.org,. (2015). How heartburn and GERD occur - Mayo Clinic . Retrieved 13 September 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/multimedia/how-heartburn-and-gerd-occur/img-20007555

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD)

By Laurel Thorsell

On this page I will talk about gastroesophageal reflux disease, beginning with the definition and epidemiology of the disease. I will cover etiology and pathophysiology of the disease, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, medical treatment options, diet considerations, websites that are helpful for people with GERD, apps that are helpful, and end with a list of support groups for people with GERD. 

MedicineNet,. (2015). Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) Picture Image on MedicineNet.com. Retrieved 7 September 2015, from http://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/gastroesophageal_reflux_gerd_picture/picture.htm