being overweight or obese – this can place increased pressure on your stomach and weaken the muscles at the bottom of the oesophagus.The following factors may increase your risk of developing GORD: It's not always clear what causes this ring of muscle to become weakened, but certain things can increase the risk of it happening (see below).
This causes symptoms of GORD, which can include heartburn and acid reflux. Normally, this ring of muscle opens to let food into your stomach and closes to stop stomach acid leaking back up into your oesophagus.īut for people with GORD, stomach acid is able to pass back up into the oesophagus. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is usually caused by the ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus (gullet) becoming weakened. If you also have asthma, the symptoms may get worse as a result of stomach acid irritating your airways.
a persistent cough or wheezing, which may be worse at night. difficulty swallowing, which may feel like a piece of food is stuck low down in your throat. a sore, inflamed oesophagus (oesophagitis). If you have GORD, you may also experience: It usually causes an unpleasant, sour taste at the back of your mouth. Acid refluxĪcid reflux is where acid and other stomach contents are brought back up (regurgitated) into your throat and mouth. The discomfort is usually worse after eating, or when bending over or lying down. It's usually felt just below your breastbone, but can spread up to the throat in some people. Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest. The main symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) are heartburn and acid reflux. Read more about the complications of GORD. changes in the cells lining the oesophagus (Barrett's oesophagus) – very occasionally, oesophageal cancer can develop from these cells, so you may need to be closely monitored. the oesophagus becoming scarred and narrowed – this can make swallowing difficult and may require an operation to correct it. ulcers (sores) on the oesophagus – these may bleed and make swallowing painful. If you have GORD for a long time, stomach acid can damage your oesophagus and cause further problems. Surgery to stop stomach acid leaking into your oesophagus may be recommended if medication isn't helping, or you don't want to take medication on a long-term basis. You may only need to take medication when you experience symptoms, although long-term treatment may be needed if the problem continues. stronger prescription medicines – including proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs). over-the-counter medicines – ask your pharmacist to recommend an antacid or an alginate. self-help measures – this includes eating smaller but more frequent meals, avoiding any foods or drinks that trigger your symptoms, raising the head of your bed, and keeping to a healthy weight. Your GP will usually be able to diagnose GORD based on your symptoms, although they may refer you for some tests. you have possible signs of a more serious problem, such as persistent vomiting, vomiting blood or unexplained weight loss. over-the-counter medications aren't helping. Visit your GP if you're worried about your symptoms, or if: Ask your pharmacist for advice on treatments. You don't necessarily need to see your GP if you only have symptoms occasionally. See treatments for GORD for more information. You can often control the symptoms of GORD by making some lifestyle changes and taking over-the-counter medication. pain when swallowing and/or difficulty swallowing. oesophagitis (a sore, inflamed oesophagus). acid reflux (where stomach acid comes back up into your mouth and causes an unpleasant, sour taste). heartburn (an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest that often occurs after eating). Occasionally, surgery to correct the problem may be needed. GORD can often be controlled with self-help measures and medication. 
It may just be an occasional nuisance for some people, but for others it can be a severe, lifelong problem. GORD causes symptoms such as heartburn and an unpleasant taste in the back of the mouth. It usually occurs as a result of the ring of muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus becoming weakened. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition, where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus (gullet).
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