Final answer:
GERD can be exacerbated by aging, smoking, and being overweight, with symptoms often improved by lifestyle changes. H. pylori, though primarily associated with peptic ulcers, can have an indirect impact on GERD. Pregnancy is another condition that can temporarily increase GERD symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, often develops as a result of certain lifestyle factors and conditions. While aging can play a role in weakening the lower esophageal sphincter leading to GERD, and pregnancy can also be a contributing factor due to increased abdominal pressure, being overweight is a known factor that can exacerbate GERD symptoms. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking can help control GERD, as smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter.
H. pylori infection, which is a well-known cause of peptic ulcers, can also be related to GERD. Hormones and other changes during pregnancy can lead to a temporary increase in GERD symptoms.
Peptic ulcers, often associated with H. pylori bacteria, develop in the stomach or duodenum. Although H. pylori is a major cause of peptic ulcers, it is less frequently associated directly with GERD. Nonetheless, managing H. pylori infections is still vital for overall gastric health and can potentially ease GERD symptoms indirectly.