Are You at Risk for GERD?

Age

You told us you are years old. In general, getting older doesn't increase the risk of getting GERD. But older adults may be more likely to have serious esophagus problems that are tied to GERD. These include an inflammation of the esophagus called erosive esophagitis. Another is Barrett's esophagus. This condition may lead to cancer. Researchers think these problems happen in older adults because they may have lived with GERD for years without getting treated.

Gender

You told us you are . Both men and women have about the same chance of getting GERD. But pregnant women have a higher chance of developing it.

Pregnancy

You told us you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. Pregnancy increases the risk for GERD symptoms. About 4 to 8 women in 10 have GERD symptoms at some point during their pregnancy. The symptoms are more common as your due date approaches. Women who gain more weight than normal during pregnancy may be more likely to develop GERD symptoms. The symptoms usually go away after the baby is born.

Weight

Your body mass index (BMI) is . A BMI of greater than 30 means you are obese. Obesity makes it 3 times more likely that you'll develop GERD. This is especially true if your extra weight is around your belly - instead of around your hips. The extra weight around your middle puts more pressure on your stomach. The increased pressure puts you at risk for a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of your stomach bulges out into your chest. The bulging makes it easier for stomach acid to move into your esophagus.

Obesity also puts you at greater risk for serious esophagus problems. These include erosive esophagitis and cancer of the esophagus.

Losing weight will lower your risk of developing GERD. Talk with your health care provider about ways to lose weight.

Weight

Your body mass index (BMI) is . A BMI between 25 and 30 means you are overweight. Being overweight may make it 3 times more likely that you'll develop GERD. This is especially true if your extra weight is around your belly - instead of around your hips. The extra weight around your middle puts more pressure on your stomach. The increased pressure puts you at risk for a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of your stomach bulges out into your chest. The bulging makes it easier for stomach acid to move into your esophagus.

Being overweight also puts you at greater risk for serious esophagus problems. These include erosive esophagitis and cancer of the esophagus.

Losing weight will lower your risk of developing GERD. Talk with your health care provider about ways to lose weight.

Weight

Your body mass index (BMI) is . Congratulations! You are at a healthy weight. By staying at a healthy weight you have lowered your risk of getting GERD.

People who are overweight or obese are 3 times more likely to develop GERD. This is especially true if the extra weight is around the belly - instead of around the hips. The extra weight around a person's middle puts more pressure on the stomach. The increased pressure puts the overweight or obese person at risk for a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of the stomach bulges out into the chest. The bulging makes it easier for stomach acid to move into the esophagus.

Being overweight or obese also puts a person at greater risk for serious esophagus problems. These include erosive esophagitis and cancer of the esophagus.

Smoking

You told us that you smoke. Smoking may raise the risk for GERD, although doctors aren't sure. Quitting smoking may help lower the risk for GERD in some people. Your secondhand smoke puts people around you who don't smoke at higher risk.

Talk with your health care provider about programs that can help you quit smoking.

Smoking

You told us that you don't smoke. Smoking or breathing secondhand smoke may raise the risk for GERD, although doctors aren't sure. By not smoking, you have avoided this risk factor.

Family history

You told us you have a parent, brother, sister, or child (first-degree relative) with GERD. GERD appears to run in families. Having a first-degree relative with GERD makes it up to 2.5 times more likely that you'll get GERD, too. This is compared with someone who doesn't have any relatives with GERD. Remember to share your family history with your health care provider.

Family history

You told us you don't have a parent, brother, sister, or child (first-degree relative) with GERD. GERD appears to run in families. Having a first-degree relative with GERD makes it up to 2.5 times more likely that a person will get GERD, too.

Alcohol use

You told us you have more than alcoholic drinks a week. Drinking alcohol may raise the risk for GERD. But researchers aren't sure how much alcohol puts you at risk. One study found that people who had more than 7 drinks a week had GERD symptoms more often. Other studies found that liquor raised the risk for GERD, but that wine or beer did not. Discuss with your health care provider your concerns about drinking.

Asthma

You told us you have asthma. People who have asthma are more likely to get GERD. GERD is found in 3 to 8 people out of 10 who have asthma. GERD is also often a trigger for asthma attacks, especially attacks that happen at night.

Talk with your health care provider about GERD and asthma. This is especially true if you have problems keeping your asthma under control.