Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents, often due to incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter, causes troublesome symptoms or complications. Symptoms most typically include heartburn and regurgitation. GERD is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders seen by both primary care physicians and gastroenterologists, occurring in about 10%-20% of the Western world. Development of GERD is highly associated with being overweight or obese. Other risk factors include age older than 50 years, cigarette smoking, NSAID use, female sex, and low socioeconomic status.

For patients presenting with typical symptoms of regurgitation or heartburn, a diagnosis of GERD can be presumptively made and treated empirically. If dysphagia, atypical chest pain, chronic cough, odynophagia, or emesis are reported, further investigation is required before empiric treatment is recommended, as an underlying motility disorder, structural abnormality, or malignancy may be present.