Family medicine
Acid reflux (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease—lifestyle, medications, and alarm features.
What it is
GERD occurs when stomach contents reflux into the esophagus causing heartburn, regurgitation, or cough. Occasional reflux is common; GERD is frequent or symptomatic enough to affect life. Mayo Clinic GERD overview provides patient education.
Long-standing reflux can rarely contribute to Barrett esophagus—alarm symptoms trigger further testing.
Symptoms
- Pyrosis post-prandiale, régurgitations acides
- Toux chronique, enrouement (reflux laryngé)
- Douleur thoracique mimant cardiaque (à distinguer)
- Érosion dentaire parfois
- Symptômes nocturnes si reflux nocturne
Common causes
Hernie hiatale, sphincter œsophagien bas insuffisant, surpression abdominale (obésité, grossesse), aliments déclencheurs, tabac, alcool, certains médicaments.
When to see a doctor
Urgence : dysphagie progressive, hématémèse, méléna, amaigrissement, anémie—endoscopie rapide.
Douleur thoracique nouvelle : considérer cardiaque—911 si suspicion.
How we can help
Élévation tête de lit, repas plus petits, éviter repas tardifs, perte de poids si surpoids, arrêt tabac. IPP ou antagonistes H2 selon sévérité ; prokinétiques rarement. Endoscopie si signaux d’alarme ou symptômes réfractaires.
Révision périodique des IPP pour nécessité continue—discussion des risques (C. difficile, fractures, carence en magnésium) en contexte individuel.
Related topics
Frequently asked questions
Long-term PPIs may be appropriate for some conditions but should be reviewed periodically—lowest effective dose, and re-trial off medication when safe.
Common triggers include fatty meals, chocolate, mint, caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods—individual triggers vary; a food diary can help.
No—cardiac ischemia, ulcers, and other conditions can mimic symptoms; new symptoms or cardiovascular risk factors deserve careful evaluation.
Yes—some antacids alter absorption of thyroid meds, antibiotics, and others; spacing doses helps—ask your pharmacist or clinician.