Who Is Affected by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Who Is Affected by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

It's hard to know how many people have GERD because so many people treat their symptoms at home without ever seeing a doctor. But heartburn is very common.

  • About 4 out of 10 adults in the United States have heartburn at least once a month. About 2 out of 10 adults in the United States have heartburn at least once a week.1 Most of these people treat themselves and do not have complications.
  • Less than 1 out of 10 adults have heartburn and/or reflux on most days.2
  • Up to 80% of pregnant women have heartburn nearly every day.1 This heartburn usually goes away after the baby is born.

Citations

  1. Richter JE (2006). Gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications. In M Feldman et al., eds., Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 8th ed., vol. 1, pp. 905–936. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
  2. Moayyedi P, Delaney B (2008). GORD in adults, search date July 2007. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Peter J. Kahrilas, MD - Gastroenterology
Last Revised March 16, 2010

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