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GERD Awareness Week

The 19th Annual GERD Awareness Week is November 18-24, 2018. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a very common disorder. Each year around the week of Thanksgiving, IFFGD encourages people experiencing the symptoms, which may be GERD-related, to consult their physicians and to contact us to receive information and support regarding the condition.

IFFGD first designated GERD Awareness Week in November 1999. The event is listed on the U.S. National Health Observances calendar. Health observances are days, weeks, or months devoted to promoting particular health concerns. Health professionals, teachers, community groups, and others can use these special times to sponsor health promotion events and stimulate awareness of health issues.

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where stomach contents flow back (reflux) into the esophagus (food tube) causing troublesome symptoms and/or possible damage to the esophagus. GERD is a chronic disease for which long-term medical therapy is usually effective.

What are the signs and symptoms of GERD?

The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn. Another typical symptom is reflux of fluid into the mouth.

Some of the other less common symptoms may include difficulty or pain when swallowing, sensation of food sticking in the esophagus, hoarseness, throat-clearing, chronic sore throat, wheezing, or chronic cough.

How do I know if I have GERD?

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of GERD. Talk to your doctor if:

  • Your heartburn happens 2 or more times a week
  • Your heartburn gets worse
  • Your heartburn wakes you from sleep at night
  • You’ve had heartburn now and then for several years
  • You have difficulty or pain when swallowing
  • Your discomfort interferes with daily activities

GERD can usually be diagnosed based on the signs and symptoms. Tests may be done to confirm or exclude a GERD diagnosis.

What causes GERD?

There is no known single cause of GERD. Reflux occurs when the muscle barrier between the stomach and the esophagus does not work as it should or is somehow overwhelmed.

How is GERD treated?

Treatment of GERD is long-term. The goals are to control or reduce symptoms, heal an injured esophagus, and manage or prevent complications.

Treatment options include lifestyle changes, medicines, surgery, or a combination of approaches.

Lifestyle changes – This means changing things you have control over. Try to identify and avoid things that may bring on symptoms or make them worse. Ask your doctor about diet. Let your doctor know about any medicines you take as some can worsen symptoms.

Medicines – Over-the-counter medicines provide only temporary relief of heartburn. Tell your doctor if you need to take one for more than two weeks.

The most commonly prescribed medicines to treat GERD are H2 blockers and the more powerful PPIs (proton pump inhibitors). These reduce or limit acid secretion in your stomach.

Surgery – For some people, surgery to strengthen the barrier between the stomach and esophagus may be an option. Medicine may still need to be taken after surgery to control symptoms. Before having surgery, review all aspects of the procedure with your primary care doctor or gastroenterologist and the surgeon.

Ask your doctor questions about your treatment plan and options. Ask why the treatment is important for you. If you need to take a medicine long-term, at later visits ask your doctor if your effective dosage can be reduced. Ask about risks as well as benefits. Ask about side effects; these can occur with any treatment. Learn what to do if they occur, and how to minimize or avoid them.

Learn more about the treatment of GERD.

Did This Article Help You?

IFFGD is a nonprofit education and research organization. Our mission is to inform, assist, and support people affected by gastrointestinal disorders.

Our original content is authored specifically for IFFGD readers, in response to your questions and concerns.

If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting IFFGD with a small tax-deductible donation.

Adapted from IFFGD Publication: Common Questions About Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

How can you get involved

The more we work together to raise awareness for GERD, the greater our ability to impact positive outcomes, such as additional research, increased educational opportunities, and improved patient care for the functional GI community. Here are a few things you can do to help educate others and raise awareness for GERD in your community: