GERD/Acid reflux facts and figures

Facts and Figures

• Causes  
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis  
• Course
   

•  In   Western   countries about 20% (1 in every 5) of   people  suffer    from heartburn (the main symptom of GERD) at least   once a    week, and up to  half  of  these  will also have reflux esophagitis, a condition where the stomach acid causes   damage to  the esophageal       mucosa (inner       lining          of esophagus).
• The incidence of GERD increases after the age of 40.

• The  pain  and   discomfort   caused   by  heartburn and other  GERD symptom may interfere with: 
  • manual   work,   housework,  gardening  and  sport,   because symptoms are often worse during physical activity

• social occasions  (such as eating with the family and friends), because symptoms are worse during and after meals

• sleep,  because symptoms are  often worse when lying  down

• work, because symptoms disturb sleep and  cause  tiredness the following day.

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