Risk Factors for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)/Heartburn

June 10, 2008 - 7:30am

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Risk Factors for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)/Heartburn

A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop GERD with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing GERD. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.

GERD or heartburn can occur in men, women, and children of all ages, including infants.

Risk factors include:

Specific Lifestyle Factors

The following habits can increase the risk of heartburn or GERD:

Obesity
Exercising immediately after eating (especially jogging or strenuous activity)
Smoking
Lying down soon after meals
Bending over or straining, especially soon after meals
Alcohol (especially excess) use
Eating chocolate
Drinking carbonated beverages, caffeinated beverages, and decaffeinated coffee
Eating spicy foods or acidic foods like citrus or tomatoes

Medical Conditions

The following medical conditions may increase the risk of developing GERD:

Peptic ulcer
Prior surgery for heartburn, including gastric reflux surgery and vagotomy
]]>Asthma]]> or other respiratory problems
]]>Diabetes]]>
]]>Cancer]]>
]]>Scoliosis]]>
]]>Cystic fibrosis]]>
Certain nervous system disorders
Gastrointestinal disorders
Food allergies
In-dwelling nasogastric tube
Chest trauma
Certain congenital problems such as:
- ]]>Down syndrome]]> and other forms of mental retardation
- ]]>Cerebral palsy]]>

Medications and Supplements

The use of certain medications and supplements can increase the risk of GERD. These medications include:

]]>Aspirin]]> and other NSAIDs (may irritate the stomach, which contributes to GERD)
Anticholinergics
Calcium channel blockers
Theophylline, bronchial inhalers, and other asthma medications
Quinidine
]]>Tetracycline]]>
Potassium and iron supplements
Nitrates
]]>Sildenafil]]> (Viagra)
Alpha-adrenergic agents
]]>Meperidine]]> (Demerol)
Sedatives such as ]]>diazepam]]> (Valium)
]]>Hormone replacement therapy]]> ]]>*¹]]>

References:

American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: http://www.gastro.org/ . Accessed March 6, 2006.

The Merck Manual of Medical Information . 17th edition. Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ . Accessed March 7, 2006.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.ctsnet.org/ . Accessed March 7, 2006.

*¹9/30/2008 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Jacobson BC, Moy B, Colditz GA, Fuchs CS. Postmenopausal hormone use and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1798-1804.

Last reviewed November 2008 by ]]>Daus Mahnke, MD]]>

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.