Stop Acid Reflux Blog

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to erosive esophagitis - a painful and worrisome condition that occurs when acid erodes the lining of the esophagus.

Professor Joachim Labenz, of Jung-Stilling Krankenhaus, Siegen, Germany said heartburn - the primary symptom of GERD - should not be ignored because symptom severity did not necessarily reflect disease severity.

“GERD is usually treated without knowing if erosive esophagitis is present or how severe the disease is, so the best approach is to treat it with the most effective medicine across all disease severities,” Professor Labenz said.

GERD is a common condition that can significantly impair quality of life. Heartburn, the primary symptom, is regularly experienced by 20-40 per cent of adults in Western countries13 and some estimates suggest erosive esophagitis may be present in up to 65 per cent of GERD sufferers.14

“Many people rely on over-the-counter medicines to treat GERD symptoms, however these medicines are inappropriate for healing of erosive esophagitis and people should see their doctor if they experience symptoms more than twice per week,” Professor Labenz said.