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Reflux means that stomach acid and juices flow from the stomach back up into the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach (esophagus). This causes heartburn. When you have heartburn at least 2 times a week, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Eating too much or bending forward after eating sometimes causes heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth. But having heartburn from time to time doesn't mean you have GERD.

If you think you might have GERD - see your doctor who can determine if you have GERD and, if so, can evaluate its severity.

In normal digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach's contents to flow up into the esophagus. The severity of GERD depends on LES dysfunction, as well as the type and amount of fluid brought up from the stomach and the neutralizing effect of saliva.

It is a common health problem that physicians feel is caused by a hiatal hernia or when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES which is the opening to your stomach doesn't work well enough to hold food and fluids in the stomach and allows food and stomach juices and acids to wash back into the esophagus.

Answer: There is no definite answer for this question because different individuals are in different stages of development with acid reflux/GERD. According to the experience of our customers, most people achieve about 75% improvement in 3 to 4 weeks by taking Acidgone® 2 to 4 times a day. Some of our customers achieve drastic improvement in one week. Answer: One of the reasons is that after taking a full serving of Acidgone®, you will be full.

Answer: No, definitely not. You may stop taking it after you recover. You may start back any time you want or take it sporadically as needed for acid reflux or body detox. Acid reflux (GERD), like obesity, is not a real disease. It is a result of improper eating and digestive functions. In other words, you may suffer from it again after you stop taking Acidgone® and start improper lifestyle practices again. However, Acidgone® may be taken on a daily basis if you choose to.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) develops when stomach acid and juices back up, or reflux, into the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This happens when the valve between the lower end of the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) does not close tightly enough. GERD most commonly occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes at the wrong time (that is, when you are not swallowing) and remains open too long.

Along with lifestyle changes, nonprescription medications may be needed to control occasional heartburn. Medications used for home treatment of GERD include antacids, or nonprescription medicines that reduce or block acid. These include H2 blockers (for example, Pepcid) or a proton pump inhibitor (for example, Prilosec OTC). For more information about prescription forms of these drugs, see the Medications section of this topic.

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Gastroesophageal reflux describes a backflow of acid from the stomach into the swallowing tube or esophagus. Almost everyone experiences gastroesophageal reflux at some time. The usual symptom is heartburn, an uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone, most commonly occurring after a meal. In some individuals this reflux is frequent or severe enough to cause more significant problems, that is a disease.

The four major symptoms of GERD are: q Heartburn (uncomfortable, rising, burning sensation behind the breastbone). q Regurgitation of gastric acid or sour contents into the mouth. q Difficult and/or painful swallowing. q Chest pain. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. In some patients it may be accompanied by other GERD symptoms, such as regurgitation of gastric contents into the mouth, chest pain and difficulty swallowing.

What causes GERD? GERD is caused by reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. In most patients this is due to a transient relaxation of the "gate" or sphincter that keeps the lower end of the esophagus closed when a person is not swallowing food or liquids. This transient relaxation happens a few times each day in people without GERD. Why it happens more frequently in GERD patients isn't known. The esophagus is not able to cope with acid as well as the stomach and is easily injured.

GERD afflicts people of every socioeconomic class, ethnic group and age. However, the incidence does seem to increase quite dramatically above the age of 40. Greater than 50 percent of those afflicted with GERD are between the ages of 45-64 (both male and female).

Only a minority of patients develop complications of GERD. These complications include breaks in the lining of the esophagus (esophageal erosions), esophageal ulcer, and narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture). In some patients, the normal esophageal lining or epithelium may be replaced with abnormal (Barrett's) epithelium. This condition (Barrett's esophagus) has been linked to cancer of the esophagus and must be carefully watched.

Smoking doesn't cause GERD and there is little evidence that smoking significantly worsens GERD. Stopping smoking is a good idea anyway.

Unfortunately, GERD, in general, cannot be cured at present. In some cases, it may be a temporary condition associated with a specific aggravating factor such as pregnancy. In such cases, GERD will go away on its own when the pregnancy has ended. In most cases GERD is a chronic condition. However, it can be effectively managed with medications and lifestyle modifications in almost everybody. In severe cases, surgery is an option.