Patient was educated on risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease as follows: Obesity Overweight and obese individuals have more abdominal fat, which can exert pressure on the abdomen, especially in a position of lying down on the back. Increased pressure on the abdomen can drive the acid contents up into the esophagus, precipitating attacks of GERD. Eating big meals Big meals can exert more pressure in the abdomen and help force the acid contents up [...]

Patient was educated on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as follows: Usually, food enters the stomach from the esophagus, passing through the relaxed lower esophageal sphincter. The food is then acted upon by the hydrochloric acid in the stomach and digestive enzymes, such as, pepsin, which make the stomach medium highly acidic. Once the food is in the stomach the lower esophageal sphincter closes, to prevent acid contents of the stomach moving up into the esophagus. [...]