Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs when the muscle located at the end of your esophagus--called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)--does not close properly. Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Because your LES does not close properly when it should, your stomach contents leak back, or reflux, into your esophagus and irritate it.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease Symptoms

Most people who have gastroesophageal reflux disease feel a burning sensation in their chest or throat. This is called heartburn. Sometimes, you can taste stomach fluid in the back of the mouth. This is acid indigestion. If you have these symptoms for two weeks in a row or more, you may have GERD.

Who gets reflux disease?

Anyone can have Gastroesophageal reflux disease, including infants and children.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux in Babies

What You Can Do

Here are some tips on what you can do to improve your symptoms.

• Avoid drinking alcohol and eating spicy, fatty or acidic foods that trigger your heartburn
• Eat smaller meals
• Avoid eating close to bedtime
• Try to lose weight if you are overweight or obese
• Avoid wearing too tight belt

Gastroesophageal reflux disease Treatment

Your doctor may recommend medicines such as antacids or H2 blockers to relieve your symptoms. If your symptoms are not relieved by medications, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the cause of your reflux disease.

More Digestive Diseases Topics

<sub>References:
Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse < http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/index.htm>. December 15, 2010

GERD. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine < http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gerd.html>. December 15, 2010</sub>

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Hiatal hernia is a digestive problem in which a part of your stomach protrudes through the opening of your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscle that helps your breathe. It also separates your chest from your abdomen.

The opening in your diaphragm, called the hiatus, is normally just large enough to allow your esophagus to pass, but prevents your stomach to push upward beyond your diaphragm. The esophagus is the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach.

Causes Hiatal Hernia

The true cause of hiatal hernia is unknown. However, experts believe that it may be associated with weakening of the hiatus or surrounding tissues.

Some people may be at risk of developing hiatal hernia, such as

Advancing age
• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking
• Pregnancy

Hiatal Hernia Symptoms

Most cases of hiatal hernia have no symptoms. Sometimes, hiatal hernia symptoms are associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which may include heartburn, chest pain and difficulty swallowing.

If your symptoms seem to persist, get medical help.

Hiatal Hernia Treatment

Mild hiatal hernia that does not cause symptoms usually does not need special medical treatment. If your condition causes symptoms, you may need treatment. Your doctor may recommend medications to relieve your symptoms caused by GERD.

Surgery may be the last option if your symptoms are not relieved by medication.

More on Hernia

• Inguinal Hernia

Learn About

• Gastrosophageal Reflux Disease
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Babies
• Common Stomach Diseases or Disorders
• Common Digestive System Diseases

<sub>References:
Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse < http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/index.htm>. Accessed on December 15, 2010

Hiatal Hernia. Medline Plus, National Library of Medicine < http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001137.htm>. Accessed on December 15, 2010</sub>

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