What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is very common, affecting up to 1 in 5 or more of adult men and women in the U.S. population. It also occurs in children. Although common, the disease often is unrecognized – its symptoms misunderstood. This is unfortunate because GERD is generally a treatable disease, though serious complications can result if it is not treated properly.
Heartburn is the most frequent – but not the only – symptom of GERD. (The disease may be present even without apparent symptoms.) Heartburn is not specific to GERD and can result from other disorders that occur inside and outside the esophagus. All too often, GERD is either self-treated or mistreated.
GERD is a chronic disease. Treatment usually must be maintained on a long-term basis, even after symptoms have been brought under control. Issues of daily living and compliance with long-term use of medication need to be addressed as well. This can be accomplished through follow-up and education.
GERD is often characterized by painful symptoms that can undermine an individual’s quality of life. Various methods to effectively treat GERD range from lifestyle measures to the use of medication or surgical procedures.
It is essential for individuals who suffer the chronic and recurrent symptoms of GERD to seek an accurate diagnosis, to work with their physician, and to receive the most effective treatment available.
Learn more about talking with your doctor
Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease rGERD Survey
IFFGD has been working with a pharmaceutical company to create a survey to better understand the illness experience of those with rGERD. Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (rGERD) is very common and may affect up to 40% of people who use a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) once daily. You can participate in this survey here.
Adapted from IFFGD Publication: GERD Brochure. Contributors: Joel E. Richter, M.D., F.A.C.P., M.A.C.G., Director, USF Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition; Director, USF Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for Swallowing Disorders; Endowed Chair, Division of Internal Medicine; and Professor, Department of Oncologic Sciences, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; Philip O. Katz, M.D., F.A.C.G., Head, Esophageal Testing Laboratory, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA; and J. Patrick Waring, M.D., Attending Physician, Digestive Healthcare of Georgia, Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, GA.
