Acid Reflux Gerd Risk Assessment Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print Are You at Risk for GERD If you feel a painful, burning sensation in your chest 30 minutes to 2 hours after you eat, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Most people get this burning feeling - called heartburn - every now and then. But when you get heartburn often or regularly, you may have GERD. GERD is also called acid reflux disease. The pain may start in your stomach and move up to the middle of your chest. You may even feel pain in your throat. GERD is caused when a one-way valve in your food tube (esophagus) doesn't work as it should. Normally, the valve opens when you swallow food or drink. The valve allows food to enter your stomach, then closes quickly. With GERD, the valve allows food and stomach acid to travel back (reflux) into your esophagus. About 1 or 2 out of 10 adults in the U.S. have GERD. Learn about the risks you may have for this condition by taking this assessment. Note: A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean you will get the disease. And some people who get GERD may not have had any known risk factors. Female Male Yes No Height: feet inches Weight: lbs. Yes No Yes No Yes No Your results 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 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 healthcare 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 upinto your chest from its normal location in your abdomen (belly). 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 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 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 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 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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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 healthcare provider about GERD and asthma. This is especially true if you have problems keeping your asthma under control. Information about GERD GERD is the chronic form of gastroesophageal reflux. Your health care provider may diagnose you with GERD if you have symptoms more than twice a week for several weeks. If not treated, GERD can cause more serious health problems. See your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of GERD. Diet Many people think that certain foods cause GERD symptoms. That's not true: Food and drink don't cause GERD. But if you have GERD, certain foods or beverages can bring on symptoms. These foods may increase the acid in your stomach or relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making GERD more likely. It's best to stay away from: Coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks (with and without caffeine) Fatty, fried, or spicy food Mint, chocolate, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and alcohol Any other foods that seem to irritate your stomach or cause you pain You should also not eat large meals or eating meals just before bedtime. These can also bring on GERD symptoms. Medicines Certain medicines can raise your risk for GERD. These include: Antibiotics, especially doxycycline, which is often used for acne Bisphosphonates Iron supplements Pain relievers such as aspirin that are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines Potassium supplement Calcium channel blockers Nitrates Discuss with your health care provider any concerns you have about the medications you take. Managing GERD GERD is a chronic disease. It can affect your day-to-day life and may lead to more serious conditions. Several treatments are available. You can also make lifestyle changes to help relieve your symptoms. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional health care. Always talk with a healthcare provider for advice concerning your health. Only your healthcare provider can find out if you have GERD. Expert Care for Life Starts Here Adult Primary Care Pediatric Primary Care Urgent Care Need Help 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771) Schedule a Callback Looking for a Physician Choose a doctor and schedule an appointment. Find a Doctor Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility