Gastroesophageal reflux disease is caused when contents of the stomach leak back into the esophagus because the muscle at the end of the esophagus does not close like it should. It is normal to have heartburn and acid indigestion, but if it happens more than twice a week or causes problems with everyday life, a person is said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. People of all ages are prone to GERD, even infants.
Sometimes the cause of GERD is not clear. One known reason for the condition is hiatal hernia because it allows acid reflux to occur often.
Symptoms
Symptoms of GERD include acid reflux, frequent heartburn that can spread to the throat and produce a sour taste in the mouth, swallowing difficulty and dry cough, chest pain, hoarseness, sore throat and the feeling of having a lump in the throat.
Risk Factors
Other contributing factors include being obese, pregnant, smoking, dry mouth and delayed stomach emptying. Conditions associated with GERD include diabetes, asthma, scleroderma or other connective tissue disorders, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid the following foods to reduce symptoms associated with GERD: citrus foods, fatty, spicy and fried foods, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, mint flavorings, garlic, onions and tomato-based foods.
Treatment
Treatments for GERD include avoiding trigger foods, eating smaller meals, weight loss, not eating right before bed, not wearing tight-fitting clothes, over-the-counter or prescription acid medications and surgeries.
