Who gets heartburn? Does acid reflux fit a certain profile? Is there a picture in your mind of what a person with GERD looks like? Is reflux associated with specific environmental facts?

The National Heartburn Alliance decided to get some answers. They carried out a nationwide survey on heartburn/acid reflux. In this survey they asked various questions about heartburn and it’s effect on the lives of the sufferers.

Of all the cities, Charlotte and Jacksonville came top. Surprisingly the big cities such as New York were way down the list. It is unclear why this is so. The survey is, however, a subjective one and severity of symptoms etc. is based on individual assessment which can vary from area to area.

The survey, however, showed that there were no specific type that gets heartburn. Everyone of us gets heartburn at some time of other. Some are at greater risk of developing it than others. Let us be brutally honest. Apart from the individuals with lax LES or medical conditions that can cause reflux, who is likely to develop reflux. The person that eats like a bird or the one that over eats?

In the East the incidence of acid reflux is much lower than the West. Their diet is different and contains less fats. Assuming that they had the same diet as we have, would you expect their level of acid reflux to be higher?

Dr. Phil Hariram.