What is GERD?

GERD, which is also called acid reflux disease, is a chronic condition that occurs when the acid in your stomach backs up into your esophagus. Your stomach is equipped to handle the acid – your esophageal tissues are not.

Dr David Johnson, past president of the American College of Gastroenterology and current chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, explains “GERD is the migration of acid into the esophagus due to damage to the lower esophageal sphincter (or valve) or chronic diminished pressure of the valve, which causes acid-induced injuries of the esophageal tissues.”

The typical symptoms of GERD include a sour, bitter taste in the mouth, burning in the chest or throat, and regurgitation of acidic fluids. Dr Johnson says everyone gets heartburn from time to time but when it occurs two or more days per week on a regular basis – a criterion for a GERD diagnosis – and is not treated, it can be a precursor for much more serious digestive diseases.

Who is at risk for GERD?

According to Dr Johnson, there is no hereditary link to GERD and that it is largely due to age and lifestyle factors. “As people get older, they can experience a weakening of the esophageal contractions that are designed to clear out acid. To make things worse, the ability to even sense acid reflux is decreased, putting them at risk for more serious digestive ailments because they don’t seek treatment.”

Other high-risk populations include pregnant women (particularly in the later stage of pregnancy) and people who are overweight. “Acid reflux correlates with an increase in weight because of the increased pressure in the abdominal area, which pushes stomach acid back up into the esophagus,” explains Dr Johnson.

People who tend to frequently eat very large meals and have a high caffeine and/or alcohol intake are also prone to GERD. The stomach may not be able to accommodate the large volume of food while caffeine and alcohol can irritate the esophageal sphincter, causing acid reflux.

Tips to manage GERD

1. Lose weight

Dr Johnson advises, “A valuable way to manage GERD is to lose weight – even in normal weight patients, even two to three pounds can provide relief from GERD symptoms.”

2. Get a diagnosis

Talk to your doctor if you are suffering heartburn or acid indigestion on a regular basis. The only way you’ll get relief with proper treatment is by getting an accurate diagnosis.

3. Follow your treatment plan

There are four common treatment options for GERD. Over the counter antacids, mucosal protective agents (protect the esophageal lining), promotility agents (cause faster emptying of the stomach), and acid-suppressive medications (reduce the amount of acid the stomach makes). Surgery is also a treatment option for severe cases. Talk to your doctor about the right treatment option for you – and make sure you take your medication as directed.

4. Avoid trigger foods – to a point

Common trigger foods include coffee or other caffeinated beverages, chocolate, alcohol, acid foods like citrus and tomato-based products, foods or drinks containing peppermint, and high fat or fried foods. Dr Johnson recommends, “Eliminate some but don’t eliminate everything because it really comes down to a quality of life issue – being deprived of all of your favorite foods isn’t healthy, either. The effectiveness of prescription medications can help people find a balance – eliminate the foods that worsen your symptoms and be moderate about intake of the other trigger foods on the list.”

5. Reduce your stress

”Stress heightens the senses of the body and the higher irritability can cause a person with GERD to feel more heartburn pain,” explains Dr Johnson. Stress also takes a physiological toll on the body and can cause and worsen digestive upset. In addition, Dr Johnson recommends getting quality sleep because poor sleep patterns will, unsurprisingly, increase a person’s stress levels. “People who follow their treatment plan and have their acid reflux under control can sleep better and ultimately reduce their stress level.”

Simple holiday-specific tips to control GERD

The holidays can cause heartburn for the healthiest of people with all the large servings and rich, fatty or sugary foods. They can be especially problematic for people afflicted with GERD. Renowned food expert Ted Allen, host of the Food Network’s Food Detectives and fellow GERD-sufferer, has a few tips to have a GERD-free holiday season.

1. Make your holiday meals GERD-friendly. Allen recommends replacing trigger foods with flavorful alternatives. “When a recipe calls for citrus juice or fruit, use citrus zest instead.” The zest will punctuate the dish with acid-free citrus flavor. Visit GERDLife.com for more of Allen’s GERD-friendly holiday recipe makeovers.

2. Keep portion sizes manageable. The tendency at holiday meals for most people is to load up the plate. Allen suggests, “Don't overwhelm your guests with huge portions. Small portions and a wider variety of options equal a more elegant dinner and offers people plenty of choices. Don’t use the holidays as an excuse to overeat!” It may sound good at the time but when you are grabbing your chest because of heartburn or burping up your holiday meal, you will belatedly realize smaller portions would have been smarter. Keep this in mind all year round!

3. Watch not just what you eat but also what you do. Allen advises, “Avoid wearing tight constricting clothing as well as lying down or exercising immediately after eating.” Tight clothing and laying down can put pressure on the abdominal area and exercising on a full stomach can cause digestive upset.

The holidays should be filled with warm and wonderful merriment – not wrought with painful acid reflux. If you think you might have GERD, make an appointment with your doctor to get diagnosed and get on a proper treatment plan. If you do have GERD, give yourself the gift of a GERD-free holiday by following these tips and keep them in practice for year round relief.