GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is no fun. Yet, it’s one of those common ailments in life that we must try to treat for better health.
Chronic heartburn and acid regurgitation (or reflux) are two of the most well-known symptoms of GERD, but there are several other lesser-known symptoms as well. In addition, some people with GERD don’t have symptoms and may not realize they have the condition unless complications, such as Barrett’s esophagus, result.
According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, less common symptoms of GERD include: belching, difficulty or pain when swallowing, waterbrash (sudden excess of saliva), dysphagia (the …read more

Do we need yet another reason to lose weight? A new study reveals that obesity is linked to GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The appearance of GERD has increased steadily over the last few years, just like obesity. Now, almost “1 in 5 people have the disease.”

This research makes sense when you consider that the same types of eating contribute to obesity and GERD both. Here’s the kicker, however. Even if you lose weight, it won’t help GERD unless you’re in the earliest stages of the disease. The only true prevention is to not …read more

Those of us familiar with that burning sensation that just won’t quit know how hard it is to sleep through an attack of acid reflux. And researchers have determined, unsurprisingly, I might add, that nighttime reflux can have a negative impact on sleep.
In a recent national survey, researchers assessed the prevalence of sleep impairment among people with [gastroesophageal reflux disease] GERD and people without GERD based on response to an Internet survey of a general population of U.S. adults. Using a validated GERD screening tool, 701 respondents were identified with GERD and the remaining were controls. Bonnie Dean, MPH, PhD, …read more