Take Control of Your Digestive Health: IFFGD Launches GERD Awareness Week 2026 Campaign "Read the Signs"

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New nationwide initiative empowers millions to look beyond heartburn, recognize silent GERD symptoms, and join the "Track It to Treat It" 7-day challenge. MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C.,…

New nationwide initiative empowers millions to look beyond heartburn, recognize silent GERD symptoms, and join the "Track It to Treat It" 7-day challenge.

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of adults wake up every morning with a strained voice, clearing their throats, or relying on over-the-counter antacids just to make it through the day. What many dismiss as routine indigestion could actually be a chronic medical condition. This November 22–28, 2026, the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) is launching its national campaign, GERD Awareness Week 2026: "Read the Signs: When Reflux Isn't Just Heartburn" (#ReadTheSigns), to break the silence surrounding gastroesophageal reflux disease.

GERD affects up to 20% of the U.S. population, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Beyond the classic chest burning, millions suffer from "silent GERD"—manifesting as chronic coughing, morning hoarseness, sore throat, or a persistent lump-in-throat sensation. Left untreated, long-term acid exposure can lead to serious complications, including esophageal strictures and Barrett's esophagus. IFFGD is calling on individuals to stop normalizing daily discomfort and take charge of their health.

To learn more about symptoms and management options, visit www.aboutGERD.org.

Empowering Patient Action: The 7-Day Challenge A cornerstone of this year's campaign is the "Track It to Treat It" Challenge. IFFGD invites the public to spend one week logging their symptoms, diet triggers, antacid usage, and nighttime disruptions. By taking this symptom diary straight to their healthcare provider, patients transform vague discomfort into actionable clinical conversations.

"You don't have to live with painful or disruptive reflux," said Ceciel T. Rooker, President of IFFGD. "The week of Thanksgiving is GERD Awareness Week, and it is about shifting the narrative from self-treatment to proactive care.

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