Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common foregut disorder that results from a defective reflux barrier at the esophagogastric junction. It continues to be among the most common diseases seen by gastroenterologists, surgeons, and primary care physicians.
The burden of GERD varies over time and between or within countries and territories.
0m
cases of GERD globally in 2019 (1)
0%
prevalent cases increasing
(from 441.57 million in 1990 to 783.95 million in 2019)
Recently, with improvements in living standards and changes in lifestyle and dietary habits, the incidence of GERD has been increasing yearly. Meanwhile, there are also correlation between GERD and ethnicity, Helicobacter pylori infection, gender, age, and lifestyle.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition in which stomach acid repeatedly flows back up into the tube connecting the mouth and stomach, called the esophagus. It’s often called GERD for short. This backwash is known as acid reflux, and it can irritate the lining of the esophagus.
Many people experience acid reflux now and then. However, when acid reflux happens repeatedly over time, it can cause GERD.
Most people can manage the discomfort of GERD with lifestyle changes and medicines. And though it’s uncommon, some may need surgery to help with symptoms.
Typical symptoms of GERD include heartburn and regurgitation. In addition, upper belly or chest pain, trouble swallowing, called dysphagia. sensation of a lump in the throat.
GERD can also cause a variety of extraesophageal manifestations. They can include laryngeal and pulmonary symptoms such as hoarseness, throat clearing, and chronic cough, and conditions such as laryngitis, pharyngitis, and pulmonary fibrosis. It also has been proposed that GERD might exacerbate asthma. Chest pain is commonly listed as a symptom of GERD.
GERD can’t be approached as a single disease, but one with multiple presentations and different diagnostic considerations. A healthcare professional might be able to diagnose GERD based on a history of symptoms and a physical examination.
GERD is a prevalent chronic condition, which when untreated can lead to complications such as erosive esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Possible complications include:
People affected by GERD can also develop complications in the mouth, throat, and lungs, such as asthma and chronic cough. Medical management includes lifestyle modifications as well as pharmacologic therapy, principally with medications that reduce gastric acid secretion, surgical and endoscopic options.
Management of GERD requires a multifaceted approach, taking into account the symptom presentation, endoscopic findings, and likely physiological abnormalities.
GERD is usually curable. Some people try to modify their lifestyle, while others find relief in over-the-counter medications and other take antacids. Medical management includes lifestyle modifications as well as pharmacologic therapy, principally with medications that reduce gastric acid secretion, some cases surgical and endoscopic options. Non-pharmacologic lifestyle modifications include recommendations for diet modification (content and timing), body positioning with meals and while sleeping, and weight management.
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Conditions that can increase the risk of GERD include:
Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include:
Diet and lifestyle modification 2,6
Common recommendations include weight loss for overweight patients, elevating the head of the bed, tobacco and alcohol cessation, avoidance of late night meals and bedtime snacks, staying upright during and after meals, and cessation of foods that potentially aggravate reflux symptoms (refluxogenic foods) such as coffee, chocolate, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, acidic foods such as citrus and tomatoes, and foods with high fat content.
If you have acid reflux frequently, talk to a healthcare provider. It’s important to find out how it’s affecting your body. GERD isn’t just an inconvenience — it can do real harm.
Seek medical help right away if you have chest pain, especially if you also have shortness of breath, or jaw or arm pain. These may be symptoms of a heart attack.
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you have severe or frequent GERD symptoms or take nonprescription medicines for heartburn more than twice a week.
GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease
References
Last updated: 16 April 2025
GLO-GASTRO-04/2025-03
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