1. Heartburn: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the GERD Quiz

Medical Author:

P John Simic, MD

Coauthor:

Vincent W Yang, MD, PhD

Medical Editor:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Reflux disease (GERD) is treatable, but relapses are common, especially if you do not change your lifestyle.

• For people with mild-to-moderate disease (grades 1-2), home care and H2-blockers are generally effective.
• Severe esophagitis (grades 3-4) usually requires PPI therapy.
• If relapses occur, long-term therapy or surgery will be necessary to avoid complications.

Complications of acid reflux can include any of the following. Most of these are rare, but GERD can be the first step toward any of them. The best treatment for any of these is prevention.

• Esophagitis and esophageal ulcers:  Inflammation, irritation of the lining of the esophagus
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux: When acid from the stomach gets into the throat, the voice becomes hoarse.
• Bleeding: Due to ulcers in the damaged esophageal lining
• Strictures: Narrowing of the esophagus due to chronic scarring
• Swallowing problems: Due to strictures
• Respiratory problems: When acid from the stomach gets into the breathing passages
• Barrett esophagus: Changes in the cells lining the esophagus, a precancerous condition
• Cancer of the esophagus: Has a very low incidence rate

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus.

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