GERD Resource Center - All Articles
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GERD - All Articles

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder affecting the ring of muscle between your esophagus, or food pipe, and stomach that results in stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus. Symptoms generally worsen after lying down or eating and include a severe burning feeling in the abdomen or chest, chest pain, and possibly asthma-like symptoms, including coughing and wheezing. Treatment typically involves medications to reduce stomach acid and, for severe GERD, surgery. Lifestyle factors like diet changes, shifts to your eating schedule, weight management, not drinking alcohol, and quitting smoking can help you manage GERD, and doctors often recommend these before trying more invasive treatment.

What Is GERD? 
What Is GERD? 
What Is GERD? Medically Reviewed by Mark Henricks | March 20, 2026

FAQ

What causes GERD?

GERD has several causes, including obesity, smoking, medication side effects, pregnancy, and a type of hernia called a hiatal hernia. Large meals, trigger foods, and lying down or going to bed soon after eating can also worsen GERD symptoms.

GERD symptoms include regular heartburn, regurgitation, and, atypically, chest pain. It may also lead to nausea, vomiting, and foul-smelling breath. More rare complications that may develop include sore throat, coughing, wheezing, and hoarseness.

Doctors often diagnose GERD on symptoms alone, but procedures to test for GERD include upper endoscopy, an ambulatory acid probe, and esophageal manometry. They may also request X-rays called an upper GI series.

GERD food triggers vary between people, but fatty, spicy, or acidic foods are common triggers. Chocolate, peppermint, tomatoes, citrus fruits, alcohol, and carbonated, caffeinated drinks also often trigger GERD. Learn your trigger foods and try to cut them out.

Lifestyle changes like weight management, smoking cessation, wearing loose clothing, and stress management can reduce GERD symptoms, as can avoiding trigger foods and eating smaller meals slowly. Treatments include antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). If bothersome symptoms persist and are proven to be related to reflux with objective testing, surgery may be necessary.

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Resources
  1. Acid Reflux & GERD. Cleveland Clinic. September 28, 2023.

ALL GERD ARTICLES

What Is GERD?
What Is GERD?
What Is GERD?Medically Reviewed by Mark Henricks | March 20, 2026