Mamashealth.com Home Digestive Health Appendicitis Celiac Disease Children With Ulcers Cholecystitis Constipation Crohn's Disease Digestive Bleeding Diverticulosis EG Esophageal Ulcer Fecal Impaction Fecal Incontinence Food Poisoning Gas Gastritis Gastroenteritis Gastroparesis GERD GERD and babies Heal Ulcers Heart Burn Hemochromatosis Indigestion IBS IBS Help Lactose Intolerance Liver Cirrhosis Mega Colon Menetrier's Disease Pancreatitis Peritonitis Proctitis Rapid Gas Emptying Reduce Gas Smoking effects Stomach Flu Stomach Ulcer Stomach Ulcer Diet Treating Ulcers Ulcerative Colitis Whipple's Disease Zollinger-Ellison Links Email Mama Gastric bypass surgery Gastric bypass surgery risks Gastric bypass surgery: afterward After tummy tuck surgery Tummy tuck surgery Tummy tuck surgery risks Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter	What is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease? Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD is the abnormal backflow of stomach acid and juices into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs in infants too. Infants who have gastroesophageal reflux disease may not gain weight, may have respiratory problems and may develop more slowly. Why Does Backflow Occur? This backflow occurs when the valve between the lower end of the esophagus and the stomach does not close tightly enough. Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease? The most common symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease is a frequent heartburn. Heartburn is often described as a feeling of burning, warmth, heat, or pain just behind the breastbone, commonly referred to as heartburn. The burning sensation usually occurs after eating. ***If you have pain behind your breastbone, you need to make sure there is not a problem with your heart. Occasional heartburn does not mean you have gastroesophageal reflux disease. In gastroesophageal reflux disease, the heartburn lasts longer and occurs more often. Other Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease A sour or bitter taste in the mouth Difficulty swallowing Ear, nose, and throat problems Chest pain Nausea, often in the morning What Causes Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease? Overeating or bending forward after eating occasionally causes heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Running? Running can aggravate gastroesophageal reflux disease. It can aggravates gastroesophageal reflux disease because it jostles the stomach and can slow gastric emptying and digestion. To prevent aggravation of gastroesophageal reflux disease while running, eat a small, low-fat meal at least an hour before running. (Fatty foods can trigger heartburn). Maintaining good running posture will also help. Treatment Options for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease? Treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease are aimed at reducing the abnormal backflow of the stomach acid and juices. Some of the most common treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease are: antacids acid reducers prescription medication surgery (in severe cases)	Featured Book
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