📋 Your GERD Health Passport
Notes, questions, trackers, and your care team — saved in your browser.
What happened at your last visit?
Questions to bring to your next visit
What you’re tracking
Record what matters week to week — symptoms, meds, sleep, mood, vital signs.
My Care Team
Pulls from your kindness log — open the Encounter Card to add or rate.
🌐 FFH Network Trackers
Placeholder — Lucy’s integration. Tracker URLs wire in here.
Your modifiable risk factors, turned into a plan
Dr. Rob is prototyping a Modifiable Risk Factor Motivator widget on Stroke first. When it ships it embeds right here — turning each GERD-relevant risk factor into a tracked, evidence-backed action.
If you ever need to explain your GERD in 30 seconds, start here.
“I have GERD — chronic acid reflux. My stomach acid backs up into my esophagus, causing burning, taste changes, sometimes cough or throat issues. I take medication daily and watch certain foods and habits. I wanted you to know because reflux is usually manageable but can sometimes feel like a heart attack. If I have crushing chest pain, especially with sweating or shortness of breath, that’s a 911 call — don’t assume it’s just reflux.”
📚Your 16 Course Modules
Click any module to open it. Each opens on the Knowledge Check — that’s your pretest. Taking it unlocks Learn It; reading each tab unlocks the next; finish by retaking the same check to measure your growth.
What GERD Actually Is
Chronic backflow of stomach acid into esophagus. Affects ~20% of US adults.
How PPIs Work
Block acid production. Most effective long-term acid suppression.
Spot Cardiac Mimics
Crushing chest pain + sweating + jaw/arm pain = 911, not antacid.
Common Triggers
Caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, citrus, mint, fatty/spicy foods, late eating.
Anatomy
Lower esophageal sphincter relaxes inappropriately. Hiatal hernia common.
Med Approach
PPIs daily or on-demand. H2 blockers for breakthrough. Antacids occasional.
When to Scope
Alarm symptoms: dysphagia, weight loss, bleeding, age + new symptoms.
Lifestyle Tweaks
Elevate head of bed, no eating within 3 hr of bed, avoid triggers, weight loss.
Long-Term PPI Risks
Vitamin B12, magnesium, bone density, kidney — discuss balance.
Make Every Visit Count
Bring symptom log, trigger log, current meds.
Your Care Team
PCP, sometimes GI, sometimes surgeon for refractory cases.
Symptom Apps
GERD diaries help identify your triggers.
Insurance + Cost
Most PPIs generic. Endoscopy generally covered.
Teach & Mentor
Patients confuse GERD with cardiac — share when to worry.
Advocate
Push for medication coverage and access to GI care.
Research & Trials
Newer surgical options, novel acid blockers, microbiome research.