GERD is a disease and heartburn is its most common symptom. Heartburn is defined as a rising, burning sensation behind the breastbone caused by reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. Nearly everyone has or will experience heartburn on occasion. Frequent heartburn that disrupts one's lifestyle suggests the diagnosis of GERD.

Medications are typically prescribed when preventative measures prove ineffective, before surgery is recommended. The most common types of medication are H-2 blockers (Axid, Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac), drugs that increase peristalsis and tighten the LES (Reglan) and proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Prilosec or Protonix).

Doctors usually recommend trying lifestyle and dietary changes to treat both of these disorders. Avoiding certain foods and beverages such as citrus drinks, tomato products, peppermint, chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods often helps. Also decreasing the amount you're eating or eating several hours before bedtime, dieting if you're overweight, getting more exercise, elevating the head of the bed 6-8 inches and quitting smoking also help many people.

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.

Stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers are both peptic ulcers. A stomach ulcer (gastric ulcer) is a sore that occurs in the lining of the stomach. In general stomach ulcers can be related to infections with helicobacter pylori bacteria. The h. pylori bacteria weaken the protective mucus coating of the stomach and duodenal, where the mucus is produced.

Hiatus hernia refers to dislocation of the stomach through the "hiatus" of the diaphragm and into the chest. This is a common condition that increases in frequency with age. It may or may not be associated with GERD. When GERD is severe enough to be complicated by erosive esophagitis, seen as breaks in the lining of the esophagus, a hiatus hernia is usually present. However, most patients with a hiatus hernia do not have GERD.

Not everyone with gastroesophageal reflux disease has heartburn. Other symptoms of GERD include regurgitation of bitter acid up into the throat while sleeping or bending over; bitter taste in the mouth; persistent dry cough; hoarseness (especially in the morning); feeling of tightness in the throat, as if a piece of food is stuck there; wheezing; and bad breath. The most common symptoms in children are repeated vomiting, coughing, and other respiratory problems.

What a relief: Up to half of all people rushed to the hospital with chest pain (but no history of heart disease) find out that they actually have a bad case of heartburn. It is not always easy to distinguish between the two conditions and if you are in doubt seek immediate medical attention. Sufferers distinguish between the two conditions, but if you're in doubt, get to the hospital pronto.

Antacids such as Maalox, Rolaids, etc. are acceptable. You may also use acid-blockers such as Zantac, Tagamet, Prilosec and related medications.

First of all, if you get heartburn frequently or you think you may be suffering from other manifestations of GERD, you should see a Doctor and a Gastroentrologist if possible. Second, if you have difficulty swallowing, weight loss, easy fatigability due to low iron anemia, or if you wake up coughing and chocking in the middle of the night, you should see a Doctor immediately.

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 problem is the same in heartburn and GERD. The condition is called GERD when it becomes a frequent, persistent (chronic) problem.

Probably. Heartburn or acid reflux (GERD) is directly related to being overweight (there are other causes of GERD). Once you start losing those pounds you should notice that the heartburn starts to disappear. Patients who undergo the Lap-band procedure may notice a drastic improvement in the heartburn because the band acts like a valve preventing the acid reflux.

Heartburn affects almost everyone at some point in their lives. Heartburn that is experienced several times in a 24-hour period, that occurs many times a month, or that causes hoarseness, coughing, bleeding or swallowing difficulties, is not normal and should be examined.

More than 60 million American adults experience GERD and heartburn at least once a month, and about 25 million adults suffer daily from heartburn. Twenty-five percent of pregnant women experience daily heartburn, and more than 50 percent have occasional distress. Recent studies show that GERD in infants and children is more common than previously recognized and may produce recurrent vomiting, coughing, and other respiratory problems, or failure to thrive.