Heartburn, GERD, stomach indigestion and other gastrointestinal disorders

Heartburn or GERD?

HEARTBURN-GERD BLOG IS NOW ONLINE!

Is it the new cuisine you tried last night? Overindulgence over the holidays? Food allergy?

Over 19 million Americans and many more millions of people in the world know that it is heartburn, stomach indigestion, acid reflux, sensitive gut, irritable bowel syndrome or the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and it is a chronic problem. This site explores the most common causes of these gastrointestinal (GI) problems, gives you ways to manage your bothersome condition and outlines the lifestyle changes and medical treatments that will help you feel better.

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Anatomy of heartburn and GERD Doctors call it gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Most of us call it heartburn. By any name, GERD is common, bothersome, and sometimes serious. But once you know you have GERD, you can control it and prevent complications.

What is GERD?

The ring-like muscles of the lower esophagus that prevent foods you swallow from returning from the stomach back into the esophagus is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). When your stomach is full, a tiny amount of food can sneak back into the esophagus when you swallow — that’s normal. But in people with GERD, substantial amounts of stomach acid and digestive juices backwash into the esophagus.

Heartburn and “acid indigestion” are the most common result. A burning pain is typical, and when it’s accompanied by burping or bloating, it points to GERD as the cause. But there are “hidden” signs of GERD that are noticed in the lungs, mouth, and throat.