You may sometimes mistake the symptoms of GERD for something less harmful like acidity.

But, Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, has more serious implications if not taken care of in the initial stages.

GERD is actually the inflammation of the food pipe, caused by acidic digestive juices, which escape from the stomach and enter the throat and chest area.

If not treated, GERD could cause permanent damage to your food pipe. GERD is fast becoming a common middle-class lifestyle disease.

How to Know?

If you have been experiencing these symptoms for a while now, consult a doctor or a Gastro Entrologist:

• Acidity
• Consistent heartburn
• Consistent headache
• Irregular bowel movements (sometimes not excreting for more than two days at a time)
• Regular gas formation
• Vomiting sensation
• Nauseating feeling
• Fever
• A sour taste whenever your burp
• Irregular menstruation
• In some cases, rashes could also occur

Why It Happens?

Skipping breakfast has become a trend with a fast-paced lifestyle. But without breakfast, your body doesn't get its energy requirements for the entire day. When this happens, the digestive juices work on an empty stomach.

Also, with increased work pressure, you may tend to postpone eating and often have lunch and dinner at odd hours. With fast food becoming the in-thing, your food habits could also have become very careless.

You might also be substituting fruits and vegetables with deep fried foods and aerated drinks.