Get Heartburn information from Consumer Reports Health.

Heartburn

How common is GERD?

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you get heartburn more than twice a week, you may have GERD. It's difficult to say exactly how many people in the United States have GERD. Many people don't see their doctor about their symptoms, so they aren't diagnosed with the condition.

What we do know is:

Between a quarter and a third of adults in the United States will have GERD at some time in their life.

Source:
Eisen G.
The epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: what we know and what we need to know.
American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2001; 96 (supplement): S16-S18.

¹ That's between 60 million and 80 million people
About 1 in 10 Americans get heartburn (a common symptom of GERD) each day.

Source:
Locke GR 3rd, Talley NJ, Fett SL, et al.
Prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota.
Gastroenterology. 1997; 112: 1448-1456.

² About 1 in 5 get heartburn at least once a week
More than a quarter of Americans take medication at least three times a week to reduce the amount of acid that their stomach makes

Source:
Eisen G.
The epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: what we know and what we need to know.
American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2001; 96 (supplement): S16-S18.

¹
Each year, Americans spend about $6 billion on prescription drugs for GERD and about $2 billion on over-the-counter medicines such as Gaviscon and Zantac

Source:
Eisen G.
The epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: what we know and what we need to know.
American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2001; 96 (supplement): S16-S18.

¹
GERD affects men and women of any age, but it's more common in people who are over 50
Pregnant women often get GERD. About one-quarter of pregnant women have heartburn every day. And more than one-half get it once in a while.
Babies and children can also get GERD, although it's less common in children than in adults.
About 2 percent to 3 percent of children ages 3 to 9 have frequent heartburn and have acid that flows back up into their mouths.

Source:
Nelson SP, Chen EH, Syniar GM, et al.
Prevalence of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux during childhood: a pediatric practice-based survey. Pediatric Practice Research Group.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2000; 154: 150-154.

³
About 5 percent to 8 percent of children ages 10 to 17 have these symptoms.

Sources for the information on this page:

Eisen G.The epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: what we know and what we need to know.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2001; 96 (supplement): S16-S18.

Locke GR 3rd, Talley NJ, Fett SL, et al.Prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota.Gastroenterology. 1997; 112: 1448-1456.

Nelson SP, Chen EH, Syniar GM, et al.Prevalence of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux during childhood: a pediatric practice-based survey. Pediatric Practice Research Group.Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2000; 154: 150-154.

This information was last updated on Jan 07, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional. The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.

Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.