Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Is this topic for you?
This topic is about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in
adults. For information on reflux in babies and children, see
Gastroesophageal Reflux in Babies and Children. For information
on reflux while pregnant, see Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
During Pregnancy. For information about occasional heartburn,
see Heartburn. What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
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 that
bothers you often, 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 that you have
GERD. With GERD, the reflux and heartburn last longer and come
more often. If this happens to you, be sure to get it treated,
because GERD can cause