Acid Reflux - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder in which contents of the stomach or small intestine repeatedly move back up into the esophagus (tube connecting the throat to the stomach). This regurgitating action is called reflux. Reflux causes heartburn, and although most people have an attack of heartburn at some point in their lives, persistent reflux and severe heartburn may indicate GERD.

Normally when a person swallows, the muscular walls of the esophagus move in waves to push the food down into the stomach. Right after the food enters the stomach, a band of muscle (the lower esophageal sphincter) closes off the esophagus. If the muscle fails to close tightly enough, the stomach contents can back up into the esophagus causing heartburn and other symptoms of GERD.

Substances in the digestive juices from the stomach (namely, acid, pepsin, and bile) can damage the inner lining of the esophagus, causing inflammation ulcers (open sores), and, possibly, precancerous changes to cells (called Barrett's esophagus).