If you get heartburn more than twice a week, that burning in your chest might be gastroesophageal reflux disease — GERD for short. It happens when stomach acid flows back up into the tube that connects your mouth and stomach (the esophagus). That backflow irritates the lining and causes symptoms that can mess with sleep, work, and daily life.
Common signs are a burning sensation behind the breastbone, regurgitating sour or bitter fluid, burping, and a persistent cough or hoarseness. Some people only feel chest discomfort or have trouble swallowing. Not everyone gets dramatic symptoms; sometimes GERD looks like ongoing mild indigestion that just won’t quit.
You can try a few simple things at home that often cut symptoms fast. Eat smaller meals and slow down—big meals push stomach contents up. Avoid trigger foods like coffee, alcohol, chocolate, mint, spicy dishes, citrus, and fatty fried food. Don’t lie down for at least two to three hours after eating. If you smoke, quit—smoking relaxes the valve between the stomach and esophagus.
Raise the head of your bed 6–8 inches or use a wedge pillow so your chest is higher than your stomach while sleeping. Losing even 5–10% of body weight helps many people. Tight belts and waistbands can make reflux worse, so wear loose clothes after meals.
For regular heartburn, over-the-counter antacids and H2 blockers (like famotidine) can work short-term. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole are stronger and often used for persistent GERD. PPIs heal inflammation better than antacids, but they should be used under a doctor’s guidance, especially long-term.
If symptoms don’t improve after a few weeks of lifestyle changes and meds, your doctor may suggest tests: an upper endoscopy to look at the esophagus, pH monitoring to measure acid exposure, or esophageal manometry to check muscle function. These tests help rule out complications or other causes of symptoms.
Watch for alarm signs: trouble swallowing, unintentional weight loss, vomiting blood, or dark stools. Those need prompt medical attention. Chronic, untreated GERD can lead to complications like esophagitis, strictures, or Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous change that requires follow-up.
Most people get noticeable relief from a mix of lifestyle fixes and short-term medication. If you’re thinking about stopping a PPI or still getting symptoms despite treatment, talk with your provider—there are tailored options, including stepping down meds, adding other therapies, or, rarely, surgical choices.
Want simple next steps? Start with smaller meals, avoid late-night eating, raise your bed head, and try an OTC antacid if you need immediate relief. If symptoms keep returning or you have the alarm signs above, see a clinician for testing and a treatment plan that fits your life.
As a GERD sufferer, I've noticed how much my sleep quality is affected by this condition. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, which can lead to discomfort and disrupted sleep. This is because lying down makes it easier for acid to flow back up, especially after a heavy meal or eating too close to bedtime. Not only does this cause heartburn and other symptoms, it can also result in poor sleep quality, leaving us feeling tired and unrefreshed the next day. To improve our sleep, it's essential to manage GERD through lifestyle changes, eating habits, and medication as needed.