Do you experience heartburn twice a week or more? This Thanksgiving week, November 23 – 29, 2008, marks the 10^th annual Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Awareness Week, an effort to raise awareness about this common condition that causes chronic heartburn. GERD affects an estimated 5% to 7% of the global population and as many as 10% of Americans at any one time.

GERD occurs when acid from the stomach seeps up (refluxes) into the esophagus causing pain and leading to tissue damage. There is no single cause of GERD, but the disease occurs more frequently in smokers and people who are overweight or obese.

It is no coincidence that GERD Awareness Week takes place during the week of the Thanksgiving holiday. Family gatherings are often an occasion to overeat, which can lead to heartburn by causing the stomach to secrete large amounts of stomach acid. If you only experience heartburn at annual family gatherings, you probably do not have GERD. However, if you have heartburn again later in the week, perhaps after eating leftover turkey, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about GERD.

The most frequently reported symptoms of GERD are heartburn that recurs several times a week and acid regurgitation (often described as a bad taste in the mouth or the back of the throat), but the disease can also cause other symptoms such as morning hoarseness, bad breath, and chronic sore throat. Most cases of GERD can be treated effectively through lifestyle changes and the use of daily medications.

However, if GERD is not treated properly, over time serious complications can occur. Acid eating away at the lining of the esophagus can cause inflammation (called esophagitis) which can lead to erosions in the lining of the esophagus, bleeding, and narrowing of the esophagus tube that make it difficult to swallow and may even cause breathing problems. A small subset of patients with GERD develop Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition of the esophageal lining that is a risk factor for a type of cancer called esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Many people with symptoms of GERD do not seek treatment because they think their symptoms are normal. To combat this fact, the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) designated GERD Awareness Week in November 1999 to raise awareness about the symptoms of the disease and the possible complications.

Throughout this week, the urges people who experience symptoms of GERD are urged to call the IFFGD heartburn helpline or see a physician as soon as possible. There are many treatment options that can help people with GERD get relief from their symptoms and reduce the likelihood that complications will develop.

To receive information and support regarding GERD call the IFFGD Heartburn Helpline at 1-888-964-2001. For more information about GERD and the chance to connect with others who have the disease, join in the conversation at the Healia Health Community for GERD.

_{Photo: VirtualErn, Flickr, Crative Commons}