Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease? What on earth is that? It sounds really gross!

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD for short, is a condition in which acid produced by the stomach backs up into the esophagus. This can irritate or even damage the delicate esophageal lining. One of the most common symptoms of GERD is frequent and persistent heartburn, which may be accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth.

My battle with GERD started years ago, but when I first noticed it I thought what I was feeling was chest congestion associated with allergies! Although I had few other allergic symptoms, this still seemed very likely to me--my symptoms often appeared at the same time the pollen count was high. It was uncomfortable but not terribly painful, so I had no idea that I was actually experiencing heartburn. Believe it or not, heartburn isn't always painful. In my case, it felt like a "fullness" or pressure.

I spent a long time trying various over-the-counter allergy medications, but the problem just kept getting worse. Not only did I feel as though I was having trouble breathing, my stomach seemed to be perpetually upset. Post-nasal drip, I thought. Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer. I made an appointment with a physician and began prescription allergy medicines.

I spent nearly a year trying different medicines and those didn't help either. I was still sure the feeling I had was a breathing problem, so went to a specialist in allergies and asthma. After still more medications and many tests, I found that I am not especially allergic to anything and that, while I do have a very mild case of asthma, this wasn't the cause of my illness. I began looking at other possibilities.

It was a line in Allergies and Asthma For Dummies that caught my eye and made me suspect that my discomfort was caused by GERD. I did a little online research and returned to my family physician to ask his opinion. After some questions and an examination, he suggested that we modify my diet a little bit and try Prilosec.

Prilosec is a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach, which reduces the chance of acid backing up (or refluxing) into the esophagus.

The improvement was startling! The tight feeling in my chest and my upset stomach went away and they stayed away. Now that spring is here and plants are beginning to pollinate, I keep waiting for that old icky feeling to start again. So far, it hasn't.

I have had to make a few diet changes, of course. Caffeine is a huge no-no with GERD, and even the minute amount of mint in a TicTac or a piece of gum can set it off! Onions and garlic are also common culprits, and there may be other foods specific to individuals. I've been lucky that I haven't yet had to give up too many of my favorite foods, with the exception of my precious caffeine.

While for me GERD is now little more than a nuisance, it can have some very serious consequences. Constant irritation of the esophagus by harsh stomach acid may lead to a condition known as Barretts Esophagus, and if left untreated, this can progress to cancer. Heartburn that occurs two or more days a week requires consultation with a physician. Your physician may order certain tests in order to diagnose GERD or may simply prescribe a PPI or suggest diet modification to see if those solve the problem.

To find out more about GERD, please visit:

Heartburn-Help

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Introduction to GERD FAQs