GERD Symptoms (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

GERD is a chronic condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation. While occasional heartburn is common, GERD involves frequent or persistent reflux that interferes with daily life. Symptoms include heartburn (burning in the chest, often after meals), regurgitation of sour liquid, difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, hoarseness, or a feeling of a lump in the throat.

• Physiologic factors: Weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES), hiatal hernia.
• Lifestyle contributors: Overeating, lying down after meals, obesity, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, spicy or fatty foods.
• Medical factors: Pregnancy, delayed stomach emptying, connective tissue disorders.
• Risk factors: Obesity, family history of GERD, use of certain medications (NSAIDs, calcium channel blockers, sedatives).

Consult a healthcare provider if you have frequent heartburn (more than twice a week), difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, chronic cough, or nighttime symptoms that disrupt sleep. Emergency care is needed if reflux symptoms are accompanied by severe chest pain, especially with shortness of breath or jaw/arm pain, as these could signal a heart attack.