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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.1 That's between 60 million and 80 million people
  • About 1 in 10 Americans get heartburn (a common symptom of GERD) each day.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 makes1
  • 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 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.3
  • About 5 percent to 8 percent of children ages 10 to 17 have these symptoms.



Sources for the information on this page:
  1. 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.
  2. 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. 9136821
  3. 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 in Aug 06, 2008