This GERD Awareness Week, Get a Handle on Your Heartburn

November 25, 2025

Acid reflux disease, suffer asian young woman have symptom gastroesophageal, esophageal, stomach ache and heartburn pain hand on chest from digestion problem after eat food, Healthcare medical concept

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects nearly 20 percent of Americans, according to the . Enhance your knowledge of GERD during GERD Awareness Week, taking place from November 24 to 30, 2025.��

“GERD is one of the most common reasons people make an appointment with a gastroenterologist,” says Dr. Carolyn Newberry, associate professor of clinical medicine at ��Ƶ. “Some statistics show up to one in three people in the U.S. have symptoms every week.”��

Defining GERD��

Food and drink pass through the esophagus to reach the stomach. If the ��ٴǳ��’s contents backwash into the esophagus, you experience acid reflux (heartburn or acid indigestion).��

Heartburn is a burning, painful sensation in the chest or throat. You may also experience regurgitation, when food comes back up and leaves an acidic taste in your mouth.��

Occasional indigestion is usually nothing to worry about. If you experience heartburn two or more times a week, however, it may be GERD. Awareness of the condition and proper treatment is important, since severe or chronic heartburn can cause complications, including:��

Asthma��
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Inflamed esophagus (esophagitis)��
Narrowed esophagus (esophageal stricture)��

Symptoms During GERD Awareness Week and Beyond��

Heartburn is considered the most common symptom of GERD. One purpose of GERD Awareness Week is to raise awareness of other GERD symptoms that can be very distressing.��

“GERD really can affect people’s lives,” says Dr. Felice H. Schnoll-Sussman, director of The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork-Presbyterian/��Ƶ. “It can affect how you sleep, it can affect your work environment, your school and potentially every meal.”��

Additional troublesome symptoms of GERD include:��

Chest pain��
Chronic sore throat, hoarseness or coughing��
Difficulty or pain when swallowing��
Nausea��
Unexplained weight loss��
Vomiting, which may contain blood��

Treating GERD��

If you experience occasional reflux, over-the-counter medications, such as antacids, can often provide relief. Not smoking or drinking alcohol, avoiding food triggers and losing weight can also help.��

These same approaches can also help manage GERD, but additional treatment is often necessary. Treatment options include the following:��

Medication. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a common type of medication for GERD. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your health provider may recommend an over-the-counter or prescription option. “It blocks the final step of acid production in the stomach,” says Dr. Philip O. Katz, director of Motility Laboratories for the Division of Gastroenterology at The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health. By doing this, it prevents the production of acid and helps manage reflux. Once treated, GERD may resolve completely. If not, you will need to continue taking medication to reduce symptoms.��
Surgery. A surgeon repairs or reinforces the barrier between the esophagus and stomach. This prevents food from backwashing into the esophagus. Surgery may be helpful when medication doesn’t bring relief or isn’t a suitable option. Even with surgery, symptoms may return after a few years.��

Conclusion��

Whether you or someone you love suffers from GERD, GERD Awareness Week is a good opportunity to learn the basics of this common condition.��

Reflux occurs when stomach contents backwash into the esophagus. Experiencing this two or more times a week may indicate you have GERD.��
Along with heartburn, GERD can cause symptoms ranging from chest pain to unexplained weight loss.��
GERD treatment options include lifestyle changes, medication and surgery.��

Feeling the symptoms of GERD? at ��Ƶ for help managing your condition.��

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