Do I have GERD? Is that bad?

I think I might have GERD, and I'm 15. Ive been having trouble sleeping, and at school during fifth period (right after lunch) I've had chest pains so I use my inhaler (I have asthma) but it dosent usually work, so I'm pretty sure it heartburn, I've been burping what ever I eat or drink, like if I drink water in the morning before school, during first period I'll be burping what smells like water! This happens with pretty much everything I eat. And now the chest pain (or heart burn) seems to go into efffect not everytime after I eat but most of the time. I've also lost weight, and I consider that weird cause I havent really made a change in my diet or excersise. What I really want to know is, besides it being like a disease and all the heart burn and embaressment of burping, is it really that bad of a thing? Every website I've been too makes it sound like cancer or some incurible disease! So do I have it, and should I be worried?

it does sound like you have some sort of gastro intestinal problem... if you notice this mostly after eating, i can bet that it is this..
it could lead into a bad thing, it might not be now, but the people who have surgury for it cannot puke... as for myslef, if i have to puke i like it.. these people just have dry heaves and cannto get anything up..
as soon as you can, talk to your dr....

You should consult your doctor about this as GERD will make your asthma worse..

You can try antacid 500mg tablet (one tab will do) and see if that eleminate your burping and all the stomach gas in you..

GERD is a serious problem, though not something that will lead to an immediate death. Over time, it will damage your esophagus, vocal chords,and sinus cavities because it is in fact acid leaving the stomach and traveling up the digestive tract (the wrong way, of course!). Your symptoms do sound like GERD, and it can be diagnosed fairly easily. If you visit an Ear, Nose, and Throat doc, she/he will likely use a scope, inserted through your nose and down into the esophagus. It's an odd feeling, but not painful, as the area is first numbed. If you do in fact have GERD, it is generally treatable with a prescription medication such as Zantac or Nexium. You should see a difference in two weeks or less.

Avoid chilly,spicy,burning food like tes/coffee/drinks/smoking/small frquent meals.Have milk/curd in plenty.

Cancer is a risk but it is very slight. If you follow the rest of this it will help you.

I am not a doctor, so either way you will want to talk to them, but this is what I have to say as a long time sufferer of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.)!

Three part answer information, what not to do, and what to do!

INFORMATION!!!!!!
I have a very severe case of Acid Reflux (G.E.R.D.). I have had to go to the hospital for some of the heartburn that I have had because the pain can become overwhelming or your breathing can be effected. It can be caused by Smoking, Drinking Beverages with caffeine (My case), Drinking Beverages with Alcohol, or can be Hereditary

The good thing about G.E.R.D. is that it can be a temporary thing and can be cured. It is never a permit thing even if you end up with it for the rest of your life it has the ability to be cured.

G.E.R.D. is caused by too much acid being created in your stomach. This can lead to or cause ulcers, esophagus damage, heartburn and/or damage in the mouth. . Other symptoms that can be found in a few cases are dizziness, tingling in limbs, numbness of Limbs, Chest/Back pain focused on the left side (in most cases), and shortness/difficulty breathing.

WHAT NOT TO DO!!!!!!!!
In most cases, stress is a factor to the reflux if you watch what you eat and reduce some of the stress it will help. If you watch what you eat for about a week you should find relief, if you do not then that is when you definitely what to listen to the doctor. Things to watch for are as follows:

Fatty Foods
Citrus Foods
Foods That Contain Grease
Fried Foods
Chocolate (including any Coco)
Caffeine
Smoking
Alcohol
Tomato Based Products
Lactose
Roughage (Berries and Nuts)
Onions

WHAT TO DO!!!!
The two foods that I recommend is Black strap Molasses and Raw honey. The apple is better for night time reflux while these will work for just about all of it. What you will do is take about a tsp. of whatever one you chose. Molasses being the better because of strength and nutrition, but must be use to the taste. What the substance will do is stick to the sides of the esophagus and do two things, one is heal and the other is protect.
On the healing end, both substances have a healing property in them, and as they sit on the walls of the esophagus they will heal it. This is also helpful if you have a sore throat in the morning from refluxing.
On the protection end, both substances are high in sugar and when acid that is refluxed comes up to that the sugar will neutralize it and it will not longer be a problem at that point.

I would also look to putting Cinnamon and Ginger in you diet, they have been know to help with digestion and will help you reduce the amount of acid needed to brake down food, therefore causing you to reflux less.