Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is a long-term digestive disorder that causes a frequent burning sensation in your neck or throat called acid reflux. Many experience symptoms of heartburn when this happens.
If you frequently feel a burning sensation in your neck or throat, you should find out more about GERD.
GERD occurs when stomach acid or stomach contents backs up into the esophagus, the tube that carries liquids, foods and saliva from your mouth to your stomach. This causes irritation of the esophagus lining.
RELATED RESOURCE: Care My Way® gives quick treatment for common conditions like heartburn or GERD. Download the app to get started.
GERD symptoms
Almost everyone gets heartburn occasionally, often because of something they ate. However, if you are experiencing frequent heartburn and acid reflux on a regular basis, get it checked out.
Other symptoms that could be related to GERD include:
- Food coming up into the esophagus
- Difficulty swallowing or a feeling of food getting stuck
- Painful swallowing
- Frequent burping
- Pain in the upper abdomen
- Feeling a lump in the throat
- Hoarseness
- Chronic cough
Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist, a specialist in digestive system disorders. This doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, your overall health and your family health history.
“We can treat most cases of GERD. If left unchecked, GERD can cause permanent damage to the esophagus due to difficulty swallowing, pain and bleeding. It can also increase the risk of cancer of the esophagus,” said Jennifer Clements, a Marshfield Clinic Health System nurse practitioner in gastroenterology.
Try lifestyle changes first
Your provider may first recommend lifestyle changes that may improve GERD symptoms. These include maintaining a healthy body weight, avoid eating large meals, avoid lying down for at least 2 to 3 hours after eating; avoidance of fatty or spicy foods, chocolate, alcohol, caffeinated and carbonated beverages, mint, citrus and tomato-based foods, spicy foods, fried and fatty foods; and smoking cessation.
“We know that these practical steps help many of our GERD patients,” Clements said.
There are also many treatment options available for GERD patients. Based on symptoms, Clements and other providers may advise the use of antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors.
Others may need additional evaluation and specialized testing, such as passing a camera into the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine to locate the problem and see how advanced it is. Also, if other treatments fail to relieve symptoms, surgery may be needed.
If you have frequent heartburn, talk to your provider.
Contact Care My Way Message your provider
Related Shine365 articles
How to use a neti pot or sinus rinse bottle
Pink eye? Understanding conjunctivitis symptoms
Frequent urinary tract infections? Treatments and symptoms
Would be helpful if you mentioned how much "Care My Way" costs.
Hi Grammarian, The cost for Care My Way can be found here: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/care-my-way -Thank you, Jordan
Dementia is not inevitable. It's all about eating 4 veggies per day + 1 fruit.
Dear Shine: Please educate us in layperson's language on the importance of the Microbiome.
Excellent science-related magazines are rich with this crucial health info. Thanks
Thank you for the feedback and suggestion, Dale. -Kirstie
I have been taking PPIs since the 80s. I am now 65 and continue to take them on though I have the same concern, my gastroenterologist once told me if you had a heart condition you would have to take pills the rest your life Diagnosed with GER D you need to take the medication long-term or risk cancer of the throat/esophagus. I guess I will stay on the medication dementia is inevitable with most old people anyway
I, too, have been hearing about these reports. So obviously there needs to be an update in this brochure about that concern.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I've reached out to Pamela Banerjee, a gastroenterology nurse practitioner. She may be able to provide insight into these PPI concerns and reports. -Kirstie
E. W. – Pamela Banerjee shared this information with me: "At this time, appropriate studies to see if there is truly a cause-effect with these medications have not been done. This is an observational study that shows some association with dementia only. The article about the study is even concluded by saying that this is not evidence enough to start changing therapy. If these medications are appropriately prescribed, then your provider will make sure this is done safely." -Kirstie
I am 72, and have been on Pantopropinol for about two years. I am horrified at the recent studies suggesting a 45 % increase in dementia, which was published 3 days ago, in elderly patients taking proton pump inhibitors. Any advice? I'm living in Florida until May, so cannot see Dr. Fossen.
Thanks you.
Mary, we cannot give individualized health advice on this forum. It would be best to address these concerns with Dr. Fossen when you return in May. If you’d like to contact him before returning, create or use your My Marshfield Clinic account’s secure messaging to safely send questions and concerns: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/MyMarshfieldClinic I hope this helps. -Kirstie
I take OTC Prilosec qod for my Gerd–it works but now am hearing negative things about PPI's–can you explain or give me some alternatives to using PPI's? thank you
Marianne, the FDA provides some insight into PPIs and why they can cause risk: https://www.fda.gov/default.htm
Sometimes lifestyle changes can help GERD: maintain healthy body weight, avoid chocolate, fatty or spicy foods and don’t drink carbonated or caffeinated beverages or alcohol.
We cannot give individualized health advice on this forum and encourage you to address specific questions about PPIs and your alternatives with a doctor. Here is where you can find Marshfield Clinic Gastroenterologists: https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/Doctors/Search/?k=Gastroenterology -Kirstie