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.

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.

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

Although medical science has made significant strides in recent years in understanding epilepsy, and surgery offers hope for a cure for some patients, for most a cure does not yet exist. However, the disorder can be treated, and people with epilepsy who suffer uncontrolled seizures and/or are dissatisified with their therapy should continue to work with their physician to seek an effective treatment program.

No, since it is not a disease it cannot be cured in the same sense as an infection can be cured. Nor do all of us want to become neurotypical. Many parents of highly-challenged or non-verbal children with Kanner’s type autism believe that their children have a disease that research will eventually find a cure for, or at least a method of prevention. We support scientific research on brain development.

Each dyslexic person's difficulties are different and vary from slight to very severe disruption of the learning process. There is no total cure, but the effects of dyslexia can be alleviated by skilled specialist teaching of phonics, sequencing and techniques to raise the person's self-esteem. The neurological differences also give some dyslexic people visual, spatial, physical co-ordination and lateral thinking abilities that enable them to be successful in a wide range of careers.

No. Glaucoma is incurable, but it is controllable. In most cases it can be successfully controlled with the proper treatment. Glaucoma is a chronic, lifelong condition requiring continual observation and management of the patient to keep elevated intraocular pressure under control and to help prevent loss of vision. The earlier the condition is discovered and treated, the greater the success in preventing vision loss.

Arachnophobia is a fear of spiders. The cause might be different from person to person, so the level of their reaction, the type of reaction and the cure are all different. Because it's such a wide subject, we've collected a series of websites with information, either professional or anecdotal about the fear and it's treatment. We don't take responsibility for any of the information provided on these sites, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. http://www.ufsia.ac.be/Arachnology/Arachnology.

There is no cure for asthma. However, with the proper diagnosis and treatment, asthmatics can lead normal, active lives with little disturbance to quality of life.

Answer: Bacterial STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, can be easily treated and cured. Viral STDs like herpes, genital warts, and HIV are incurable, but there are treatments available to lessen the severity of the disease.

No, alcoholism cannot be cured at this time. Even if an alcoholic hasn't been drinking for a long time, he or she can still suffer a relapse. Not drinking is the safest course for most people with alcoholism.

GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease affects millions of people each year. This catch-all term encompasses a wide array of complaints ranging from "acidic stomach", belching, nausea, bloating, distention, heartburn, hoarseness, esophagitis, gastritis, acid reflux, and asthma-like symptoms.