Medical Problems That Cause or Are Associated with GERD

By now you are probably wondering what else can make your digestive system malfunction. Some diseases are associated with GERD. They are either probable causes of GERD or disease that make the symptoms associated with GERD worse. In some cases, the disease is associated with GERD but it may not be clear at all which is the driver - does the other disease cause GERD or does GERD cause the other disease?

Here are the key causes of or contributors to GERD:

• diabetes mellitus
• asthma
• hiatal hernia
• connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma
• genetic factors
• medications
• salivary problems
• slow stomach, due to diabetes, medication, or other factors
• excessive athletic activity
• aging
• obesity
• weakened system
• wearing extremely tight clothing
• confinement to bed, such as that experienced by nursing home patiennts
• other disease