Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. The most common symptoms of GERD are acid reflux and heartburn.
The terms acid reflux, heartburn and GERD are similar and often used interchangeably, but in reality they are separate conditions. Acid reflux is when fluid from the stomach backs up into the lower esophagus. When this stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus, it causes a burning sensation; this burning sensation is called heartburn. If the fluid is tasted in the mouth, it is called acid indigestion.
When acid reflux or heartburn significantly impacts an individual’s life and occurs at least twice a week, it is called GERD.
Several conditions can lead to acid reflux or GERD.
Relaxed lower esophageal sphincter
The esophagus connects the throat to the stomach. Food passes from the esophagus into the stomach through a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES then closes, keeping the food and fluid in the stomach. Sometimes this muscle becomes weakened and does not function properly, allowing the stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia
The esophagus passes through an opening in the diaphragm on its way to the stomach. Sometimes the muscle tissue around this opening, called a hiatus, weakens, causing the portion of the esophagus that is in the stomach to protrude upward through the enlarged hiatus into the chest. This protrusion, or hernia, affects the efficiency of the LES, and acid from the stomach backs up into the lower esophagus.
Delayed digestion
Often times, damage to the nerves or muscles in the stomach can cause the body to digest food too slowly, thus causing the stomach to take longer to empty its contents. This condition, called gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, leads to a build-up in pressure in the stomach, causing acid reflux.
Gastroparesis can be chronic or transient. It is often found in individuals who have diabetes.
Lifestyle
Certain foods can cause acid reflux by increasing the production of acid in the stomach. Foods to avoid include fatty or fried foods, garlic or onions, caffeinated drinks, citrus fruits, spicy foods or tomato-based foods such as pizza or spaghetti.
Other contributing factors include smoking, alcohol use and being overweight.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body releases the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the LES.
Medication
A few medications which may cause GERD include NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), sedatives, potassium, antibiotics and calcium channel blockers.
If left untreated, GERD can result serious medical complications such as esophagitis (inflammation and swelling of the lining of the esophagus), esophageal strictures (a narrowing of the esophagus due to scar tissue buildup), or esophageal cancer.
Lifestyle changes help to prevent the heartburn and acid reflux that leads to GERD. To learn more about a healthy, natural way to treat GERD, download the Reflux Remedy Report at www.refluxremedy.com today!