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Patient information: A guide to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, acid reflux, heartburn)

ACID REFLUX OVERVIEW

Acid reflux is a common condition that occurs in people of all ages. Reflux happens when the acid in your stomach backs up into the esophagus, which is the tube from the mouth to the stomach. In most people, acid reflux does not cause problems.

However, in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acid reflux causes bothersome symptoms, such as heartburn, vomiting, or pain with swallowing. Infants with GERD may spit up, refuse to eat, choke while eating, or gain weight slowly.

Treatments for gastroesophageal reflux are very effective. In adults, treatment may include losing weight, raising the head of your bed, and/or taking medicines. In infants, treatment may include changing the infant's diet or keeping the infant sitting up after eating. In all age groups, medicines can help to reduce the amount of acid made by the stomach.

UPTODATE ACID REFLUX RESOURCES

Patient information — UpToDate has articles for family members and patients with acid reflux. These articles are available on the internet at www.uptodate.com/patients.

  (see "Patient information: Gastroesophageal reflux in infants")

  (see "Patient information: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents")

  (see "Patient information: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults")

Premium subscription information — More detailed information is also available by subscription.

Infants and children

  (see "Gastroesophageal reflux in premature infants")

  (see "Gastroesophageal reflux in infants")

  (see "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents")

  (see "Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents")

Adults

  (see "Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux in adults")

  (see "Medical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults")

  (see "Approach to refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults")

  (see "Complications of gastroesophageal reflux in adults")

  (see "Surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux in adults")

  (see "Clinical importance of non-acid reflux")

  (see "Gastroesophageal reflux and asthma")

  (see "Helicobacter pylori and gastroesophageal reflux disease")

Last literature review version 18.2: May 2010
This topic last updated: August 28, 2009
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UpToDate performs a continuous review of over 440 journals and other resources. Updates are added as important new information is published. The literature review for version 18.2 is current through May 2010; this topic was last changed on August 28, 2009. The next version of UpToDate (18.3) will be released in November 2010.

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