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.

Pregnancy

You told us you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. Pregnancy increases the risk for GERD symptoms. Many women will 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 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 that part of your stomach bulges up into your chest from its normal place in your belly (abdomen). 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 doctor 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 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 up into your chest from its normal place in your belly (abdomen). 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 doctor 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 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 raises the risk for a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia means part of the stomach bulges up into
the chest from its normal place in your belly (abdomen). 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 your risk for GERD. But the level of risk is still unclear. Quitting smoking may help lower the
risk for GERD in some people. Your secondhand smoke also puts people around you who don't smoke at higher risk.

Talk with your doctor about programs that can help you quit smoking.

Smoking

You told us that you don't smoke. Smoking or breathing secondhand smoke may raise your risk for GERD. But the level of risk is still unclear.
By not smoking, you have eliminated 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 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 doctor.

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 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 your
risk for GERD. But the level of risk based on the amount of alcohol is unclear. Discuss with your doctor your concerns about drinking and the risk of developing GERD.

Asthma

You told us you have asthma. People who have asthma have a higher risk for GERD. GERD is also often a trigger for asthma attacks, especially attacks that happen at night.

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