Conditions and symptoms
What Is GERD? Acid Reflux
GERD · say it: gurdAlso written: gastroesophageal reflux disease, GORD, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, acid reflux, reflux
Short answer
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) means stomach acid often flows back up into the food pipe, causing heartburn or an acid taste.
What it means
GERD, or GORD in UK spelling, stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It happens when the muscle ring at the bottom of the food pipe (esophagus) does not close well, so stomach acid flows back up. Common symptoms are heartburn (a burning feeling behind the breastbone), an acid or sour taste, burping and sometimes a cough or hoarse voice. Trouble swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools or weight loss need prompt medical review.
GERD appears on labels for acid-reducing medicines, such as proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers and antacids, under 'Indications'. Other labels list heartburn or reflux as side effects, or advise taking tablets with water and staying upright to avoid irritating the food pipe. Over-the-counter acid medicines usually say to see a doctor if symptoms last more than a short period, as stated on the pack.
Occasional heartburn after a big meal is common. GERD is the name for frequent or troublesome reflux. Long-term untreated reflux can inflame the food pipe (erosive esophagitis).
Where you may see it
- Proton pump inhibitor and antacid labels
- Over-the-counter heartburn product packs
- GP letters and endoscopy reports
📄 How it looks on a report
For the treatment of frequent heartburn. Not for immediate relief. Do not use for more than 14 days unless directed by a doctor.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Occasional heartburn does not mean you have GERD.
- Heartburn is not a heart problem, but chest pain should be checked if you are not sure.
- Relief from medicine does not mean the cause has been checked; see a doctor if symptoms keep coming back.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “GERD”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Famotidine
A histamine-2 (H2) receptor blocker, a type of medicine that lowers stomach acid.
- Metoclopramide
A stomach and gut medicine. The label describes it as affecting how the stomach and intestines move. The label does not give an FDA drug class.
- Omeprazole
a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a type of medicine that lowers the amount of acid in the stomach
- Pantoprazole
a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a medicine that reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “GERD” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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