GERD

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back up into the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach. This backflow can cause a painful, burning chest sensation commonly known as heartburn.

Acid reflux is generally considered chronic (and classified as GERD) if you experience it at least twice a week for several weeks.¹

Understanding the key symptoms of GERD is the best way to know what to watch out for if you suspect you are dealing with chronic acid reflux.

Watch Out for These Gerd Symptoms

Once you have a clearer view of the symptoms you may be hit with, the next thing you need to be aware of are the kind of causes that can trigger GERD in the first place.

Keep an eye out for these common signs of GERD:^1-2

• Regurgitation: Food, liquid, or stomach acid flowing back up into your throat or mouth, often leaving a sour, bitter taste.
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia): A sensation of food getting stuck in your throat, which can happen when acid causes inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis).
• Nausea: Feeling queasy, uncomfortably full, or experiencing a sudden loss of appetite.
• Chronic cough or sore throat: A persistent tickle or soreness in the throat caused by rising acid, which can also feel like a "lump" in your throat.
• Asthma-like symptoms: Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath that can trigger or worsen when acid particles enter and irritate your airways.

Now that you recognize the symptoms, the next step is identifying what triggers them so you can manage your condition.

GERD Causes You Need To Know

While occasional acid reflux is common, chronic GERD typically develops from specific underlying factors. Here are the key causes to look out for:^1-3

• Obesity or being overweight: Carrying excess weight puts added pressure on your stomach, forcing stomach acid upward into your esophagus and causing heartburn, chest pain, and belching.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and physical pressure affect 40% to 85% of pregnant women, especially during the third trimester. In severe cases, this reflux can trigger intense nausea and vomiting.
• Smoking or secondhand smoke: Tobacco use weakens the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—the muscular valve designed to keep stomach acid from flowing backward.
• Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) dysfunction: When this circular valve fails to close tightly after food enters the stomach, acid and digestive juices easily escape back up into the esophagus.
• Hiatal hernia: This occurs when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm. This movement lowers pressure on the esophageal valve, significantly increasing your risk of reflux.
• Lifestyle and dietary habits: Frequently consuming triggers like alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and fried foods can cause your stomach to produce excess acid.

Learning about GERD causes helps you understand your body and identify potential triggers. By recognizing these risk factors, you can take preventive steps to manage and reduce your GERD symptoms.

Tips on Preventing GERD

Mild cases of acid reflux can often be prevented through lifestyle changes. While most people experience occasional heartburn, learning how to prevent it with good habits and medication may help you find relief.

Preventing GERD starts with keeping reflux symptoms from recurring. Your first line of defense is an over-the-counter treatment like Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon), which targets symptoms at the source:

• Forms a protective "raft": Sodium alginate forms a physical barrier over stomach contents, stopping acid and bile from rising into your esophagus.
• Neutralizes stomach acid: Active antacids rapidly reduce acidity to stop the burning sensation of heartburn.
• Soothes the food pipe: This combined action cools and protects sensitive tissues, bringing comfort to your throat and food pipe.

Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon Double Action) Liquid works in as fast as 3 minutes (for heartburn) and provides up to four hours of relief, helping you manage GERD symptoms.⁷

Dietary Changes

Making a few simple adjustments to your eating habits can significantly reduce the frequency of acid reflux:^1-2,4

• Avoid trigger foods: Common culprits include spicy, fatty, and acidic foods. Also limit caffeine and alcohol intake, as these can worsen symptoms.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Large meals put extra pressure on your digestive system.
• Avoid eating late at night: Lying down too soon after meals doesn't allow enough time for the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to function properly.

Lifestyle Changes

Modifying your daily routine can help relieve physical pressure on your digestive system and prevent symptoms: ^1-2,4

• Wear loose-fitting clothing: Tight clothing (especially tight pants and belts) puts unnecessary pressure on your abdomen and can worsen GERD symptoms.
• Manage your weight: Excess abdominal weight increases pressure on the stomach, raising your risk of acid reflux. Maintain a balanced diet and consider more frequent exercise.
• Quit smoking: Smoking weakens the LES muscles, leading to more frequent heartburn episodes. Avoid secondhand smoke as well, which can also trigger GERD.
• Lower stress levels: Stress can exacerbate GERD symptoms, so try relaxation techniques like yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation to help manage symptoms.
• Develop a good bedtime routine: Avoid eating 2–3 hours before sleep. Additionally, elevate the head of your bed 6–10 inches so gravity keeps stomach contents where they belong. This positioning helps prevent heartburn while you sleep.

Following these preventive tips can significantly reduce your chances of developing GERD. If you're already experiencing symptoms, combine these lifestyle changes with appropriate treatments like Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon Double Action) for GERD relief.

Before taking this medication, always read the label carefully. This medicine contains sodium and calcium. If you're on a sodium or calcium-restricted diet, consult your doctor before taking this product.

Do not use after the expiry date listed on the package (month/year).

When to seek medical attention: If symptoms persist for more than 7 days, consult your doctor.⁸

REFERENCES

1. Acid Reflux & GERD. Cleveland Clinic. (2026, July 31). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17019-acid-reflux-gerd
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025, April 23). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gerd/symptoms-causes/syc-20361940
3. Zhang, M., Hou, Z.-K., Huang, Z.-B., Chen, X.-L., & Liu, F.-B. (2021). Dietary and Lifestyle Factors Related to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 17, 305–323. https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S296680
4. Chhabra, P., & Ingole, N. (n.d.). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Highlighting Diagnosis, Treatment, and Lifestyle Changes. Cureus, 14(8), e28563. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28563
5. Kwiatek, M. A., Roman, S., Fareeduddin, A., Pandolfino, J. E., & Kahrilas, P. J. (2011). An alginate-antacid formulation (Gaviscon Double Action Liquid) can eliminate or displace the postprandial ‘acid pocket’ in symptomatic GERD patients. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 34(1), 59–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04678.x
6. Wilkinson, J., Abd-Elaziz, K., den Daas, I., Wemer, J., van Haastert, M., Hodgkinson, V., Foster, M., & Coyle, C. (2019). Two placebo-controlled crossover studies in healthy subjects to evaluate gastric acid neutralization by an alginate–antacid formulation (Gaviscon Double Action). Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 45(3), 430–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/03639045.2018.1546314
7. Strugala, V., Dettmar, P., Sarratt, K., Sykes, J., Berry, P., & Thomas, E. (2010). A randomized, controlled, crossover trial to investigate times to onset of the perception of soothing and cooling by over-the-counter heartburn treatments. Journal of International Medical Research, 38(2), 449–457. https://doi.org/10.1177/147323001003800208
8. Sodium Alginate + Sodium Bicarbonate + Calcium Carbonate (Gaviscon Double Action) Patient Information Leaflet (Dec 2023)

ASC Reference No. R0140N092126G