Thanksgiving week marks the 17th Annual GERD Awareness Week. Gastroesophageal Reflux disease, otherwise known as GERD, is a condition where a person’s stomach contents reverse and leak back toward the esophagus. Kona Community Hospital is a full-service, patient-focused hospital with 24-hour emergency physician services operating in Kealakekua, HI. Their Heartburn and Reflux Program highlights GERD Awareness Week, promoted by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), to bring awareness of this condition that can often go undiagnosed.

Here’s a brief overview on what you need to know about GERD, brought to you by the area’s leading hospital:

• Symptoms: There are several symptoms related to the disease. These include heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, coughing, choking, wheezing, sore throat, sour taste in the mouth, hiccups, nausea after eating, hoarseness or change in voice, regurgitation, excessive belching or burping, and feeling like food is stuck behind your breastbone.

• When To See A Doctor: If you experience heartburn on a regular basis, or it gets worse over time, it’s highly recommended you see a doctor. However, any of the following are also reasons to seek a doctor’s help: Heartburn in the past (even if symptoms have subsided), pain or difficulty swallowing, family history of Barrett’s Esophagus or esophageal cancer, ongoing or unexplained coughing, a hoarse voice and/or sore throat lasting several weeks or more, and if you cough or choke when lying down.

• Dangers Of GERD: While heartburn and other symptoms seem irritating but possible to live with, those with GERD are at risk of developing Barrett’s Esophagus and even cancer. Because stomach acid eats away the esophagus, it produces heartburn symptoms at first. As the acid continues to eat away, those symptoms eventually die down as the cells in the lining are eaten away, leading to what’s known as Barrett’s Esophagus. Those with Barrett’s Esophagus are at a much higher risk of developing an aggressive esophageal cancer.

• Treatment: Treating any GERD symptom is far easier than treating Barrett’s Esophagus, which currently has no treatment. Although headway has been made with procedures to remove the cells and reduce the chance of cancer, it’s essential to seek an early diagnosis for GERD symptoms before too much damage is done.

It’s estimated only one in 20 people with Barrett’s Esophagus are aware they have it. Take this opportunity to visit Kona Community Hospital from Nov 20–26 and ensure your health. Stop by in person or check out their website for more information and to schedule your appointment.