Heartburn & GERD - What Increases Your Risk

Factors that increase your risk of developing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include:

  • Being overweight.
  • Being pregnant.
  • Smoking.
  • Drinking alcohol.
  • Eating certain foods, such as chocolate or peppermint, that may relax the valve between the stomach and esophagus.
  • Taking certain medicines. If you think a medicine you take may be causing your GERD symptoms, talk to your doctor.
  • Having a hiatal hernia.
  • Having a condition called scleroderma, a rare disease in which a person's immune system begins to destroy normal, healthy tissues (autoimmune disease).

If you have too little saliva, heartburn is more likely. Cigarette smoking, certain diseases, or medicines can reduce the amount of saliva your body produces. If you have a problem with the lining of your esophagus that makes the lining more sensitive to stomach acid, your heartburn may be more severe.

Author: Monica RhodesLast Updated: March 31, 2008
Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology

1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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