What is GERD?

Approximately 20% of people in the U.S. have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although the condition can cause discomfort that interferes with daily life, GERD can often be managed with the right treatment plan.

Within the stomach, acidic digestive juices help break down the foods you eat. When working as it should, a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) keeps these juices contained within your stomach, and it relaxes to allow food to enter your stomach when you swallow. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, happens when this muscle at the bottom of the esophagus becomes weak or doesn’t work properly, allowing stomach acids to repeatedly flow into the esophagus. The presence of stomach acid can lead to chronic inflammation of the esophagus and GERD symptoms.

There are several factors that can raise your risk for developing GERD, including:

• Overweight or obesity
• Hiatal hernia
• Connective tissue disorders
• Disorders that cause delays in stomach emptying

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid passes out of the lower esophageal sphincter into the esophagus. Some people experience reflux only occasionally. When acid reflux occurs frequently, healthcare providers typically diagnose the condition as GERD.

Heartburn is actually a common symptom of GERD. It’s described as a burning sensation in the chest that occurs due to stomach acid backing up into the esophagus.

Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. Healthcare providers usually diagnose patients with GERD if they experience heartburn due to acid reflux at least twice per week. Other symptoms of GERD include:

• Spitting or burping up food
• Tasting sour liquid in the back of your throat
• Upper stomach and noncardiac chest pain
• Nausea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling like you have a lump in your throat
• Hoarseness
• Chronic cough 

Treatments for GERD depend on the frequency and severity of symptoms, your health history and other factors. Some potential treatment options for GERD include:

• Over-the-counter medications: Oftentimes, over-the-counter medications are the first-line of treatment recommended for GERD. These include antacids like Mylanta, Rolaids and Tums; histamine-2 (H2) blockers like cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC) and nizatidine (Axid); and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec OTC).
• Prescription GERD medications: When GERD doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers may prescribe stronger H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), such as vonoprazan (Voquezna) and tegoprazan (K-Cab), may also be prescribed.
• Surgical procedures: In some cases, such as GERD caused by a hiatal hernia, healthcare providers may recommend fundoplication, a surgical procedure that helps strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. Weight loss surgery may be beneficial for people who experience GERD due to obesity.

In addition to medical treatments, your healthcare provider may recommend that you make lifestyle changes, such as:

• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight through a healthy diet and exercise
• Quitting smoking
• Raising the head of your bed
• Sleeping on your left side
• Eating food slowly
• Avoiding lying down right after meals
• Avoiding foods that can trigger heartburn, such as alcohol, chocolate, caffeine and fatty foods

In some cases, healthcare providers may be able to diagnose GERD with an examination and by discussing your symptoms with you. They may also order imaging and diagnostic tests to determine if you have GERD. Working with your healthcare provider and pharmacist can help you develop the best care plan for you.

Updated June 2025.