Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) defined as presence of symptoms of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation is a common chronic disorder. It is a significant health problem especially in the Western population associated with a huge economic burden and impaired quality of life (1, 2). The prevalence of GERD in the adult population of the United States is 40% (symptoms at least once a month). Approximately 20% report GERD related symptoms weekly while 14% report them on a daily basis.