A 40-year-old man reports to his health care provider complaining of "heartburn" that occurs after eating and also wakens him at night. He is overweight, admits to enjoying fatty foods, and usually likes to lie down on the sofa and watch TV after dinner. He also complains that lately he has been having a cough and some wheezing. A diagnosis of GERD was made. Explain the cause of heartburn and why it becomes worse after eating. Persons with GERD are advised to lose weight, avoid eating fatty foods, remain sitting after eating, and sleep with their head slightly elevated. Explain the possible relationship between these situations and the occurrence of reflux. Explain the possible relationship between GERD and the respiratory symptoms this man is having.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a disease in which the upset stomach causes re-flux of acid back to esophagus. This may produce highly uncomfortable feeling of chest burn that may last even for two hours. GERD can get worse after eating because more volume of acids are released by stomach on detection of food like fast food and food that have high protein content. Patients are recommended to lose weight because that loses the pressure on abdomen a decreases the chance of GERD. Head elevation is also recommended to keep the acid within the stomach. It is same in while sitting upright after eating is recommended by doctors. GERD symptoms may have some respiratory complications like lung inflammation and chest congestion due to the action of stomach acid. This may lead to asthama.