Your All-in-One GERD Resource

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Common GERD trigger foods include spicy foods, fatty or fried foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, mint, coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks. However, triggers vary from person to person — tracking your meals and symptoms is the best way to identify your personal triggers.

Keep a food and symptom journal for at least 1-2 weeks. Record what you eat, when you eat, any symptoms you experience, and their severity. GERDBuddy makes this easy by letting you quickly log meals and symptoms on your phone and uses AI to help surface patterns and correlations.

Heartburn is a symptom — a burning feeling in your chest caused by stomach acid reaching the esophagus. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a chronic condition where acid reflux happens frequently, typically twice a week or more. Occasional heartburn is normal, but persistent heartburn may indicate GERD and should be discussed with a doctor.

Many people manage mild GERD symptoms through lifestyle changes such as elevating the head of the bed, eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, not eating 2-3 hours before bed, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress. However, moderate to severe GERD may require medication. Always consult your doctor for personalized advice.

Foods that can help soothe acid reflux include oatmeal, bananas, ginger, melons, green vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and non-citrus fruits. These foods are low in acid, high in fiber, and easy to digest. However, individual tolerances vary, so tracking your personal response to different foods is important.

Yes, up to 80% of pregnant women experience acid reflux. It's caused by hormonal changes (progesterone relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter) and physical pressure from the growing uterus. Most pregnancy-related reflux resolves after delivery.

Some exercises can trigger acid reflux, especially high-impact activities, heavy weightlifting, and exercises that increase abdominal pressure. However, regular moderate exercise actually helps GERD long-term through weight management and stress reduction. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are generally well-tolerated.

GERDBuddy is a dedicated GERD trigger tracking app available on the App Store. It lets you quickly log meals and symptoms, then uses AI-powered insights to help you identify your personal trigger foods and patterns. Most users start seeing meaningful patterns within 7 days of consistent tracking.

With consistent daily tracking of meals and symptoms, most people can start identifying their primary GERD triggers within 1-2 weeks. A more complete picture typically emerges after 3-4 weeks.

Yes, a hiatal hernia can contribute to GERD by weakening the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. However, many people with small hiatal hernias have no reflux symptoms at all.

Yes, GERD can trigger or worsen asthma and breathing problems through two mechanisms: microaspiration (tiny amounts of acid reaching the airways) and vagal nerve reflexes that cause airway tightening. Up to 80% of asthma sufferers also have GERD.

During a GERD flare-up, take an antacid for quick relief, stay upright, sip water, and stick to bland foods like oatmeal, bananas, plain rice, and steamed vegetables. Avoid all known triggers, eat small portions, and keep your head elevated while sleeping.

Yes, GERD can affect children of all ages. Infant reflux (spitting up) is very common and usually resolves by 12-18 months. Older children may experience heartburn, chronic cough, sore throat, or food refusal.

How you eat is just as important as what you eat for GERD management. Eating too fast, large portions, eating late at night, slouching while eating, and lying down after meals can all trigger acid reflux. Helpful habits include eating smaller meals, chewing thoroughly, sitting upright during and after meals, and waiting 2-3 hours before lying down.