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Reflux is common in children and is usually not a sign of a serious problem. For more information, see Gastroesophageal Reflux in Babies and Children.

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 at least 2 times a week, 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 you have GERD. With GERD, the reflux-and heartburn-last longer and come more often. If this happens to you, it is important to treat it, because GERD can cause ulcers and damage to the esophagus.

See a picture of the esophagus.

What causes GERD?

Normally when you swallow your food, it travels down the food pipe (esophagus) to a valve that opens to let the food pass into the stomach and then closes. With GERD, the valve doesn't close tightly enough. Stomach acid and juices flow from the stomach and back up (reflux) into the esophagus.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of GERD is heartburn. It may feel like a burning, warmth, or pain just behind the breastbone. It is also common to have symptoms at night when you are trying to sleep.

If you have pain behind your breastbone, it is important to make sure it is not caused by a problem with your heart. The burning sensation caused by GERD usually occurs after you eat. Pain from the heart usually feels like pressure, heaviness, weight, tightness, squeezing, discomfort, or a dull ache. It occurs most often after you are active.

How is GERD diagnosed?

First, your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your health. You may or may not need further tests. Your doctor may just treat your symptoms by prescribing medicines that reduce or block stomach acid. These include H2 blockers (for example, Pepcid) or proton pump inhibitors (for example, Prilosec). If your heartburn goes away after you take the medicine, your doctor will likely diagnose GERD.

In some cases doctors do tests to be sure that you have GERD or to look for other problems.

• Endoscopy is a test that lets the doctor look at the inside of your esophagus and stomach through a tiny camera in a thin, flexible, lighted tube (endoscope).
• Esophagus testing is a group of tests that check the condition of the esophagus and how well it works.
• An upper gastrointestinal series helps your doctor examine the upper part of your digestive system. These X-rays can show other health problems that may be causing your symptoms.

How is it treated?