How often do you have GERD attacks? And what are/is your symptom/s usually?

GERD is a condition that causes heartburn--that gnawing, burning sensation just below the breastbone (sternum) and a constant feeling of hunger. You tend to overeat when you have it, because filling up the stomach to the top often relieves the burning pain. It also causes nausea sometimes, and difficulty sleeping, can cause a nagging cough because the stomach acid splashes up into the esophagus and irritates the lining, causing your esophagus to erode and become inflamed. If you have it bad enough, you'll get symptoms all the time--except just after you actually eat something--but within a couple hours, the symptoms will return. It's a frustrating condition to have, because the best treatment is weight loss--especially losing that extra weight around your stomach--and eating small meals, sleeping with your head elevated slightly, and reducing stress--but this is the very thing that is difficult. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, the weight loss, and taking medications to block the acid production are pretty much the only real treatment. The medications work--most of the time. However, they can cause BONE LOSS--and a reduced ability to absorb calcium, which is a necessary and vital nutrient, especially over time. Exercise also helps.

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