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Gastro esophageal reflux sickness is usually referred to as GERD or acid reflux which is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. The liquid can provoke and smash up the lining of the esophagus even though noticeable signs of inflammation occur in a minority of patients.

The regurgitated liquid generally contains acid and pepsin that are formed by the stomach. The refluxed liquid also may have bile that has backed-up into the stomach from the duodenum. Acid is supposed to be the most harmful module of the refluxed liquid. Pepsin and bile also may damage the esophagus, but their role in the production of esophageal inflammation and damage is not as clear as the role of acid.

GERD is a chronic condition. Once it starts, it generally exists to life-long. If the injury is occurred due to the lining of the esophagus, this also resembles a chronic condition. Moreover, after the esophagus has cured with treatment and treatment is stopped, the injury will come again in most patients within a few months.

As is often the case, the body has mechanisms to safeguard itself from the dangerous effects of reflux and acid. In addition, while people are awake, they repeatedly swallow, whether or not there is reflux. Each swallow contains any refluxed liquid back into the stomach. Finally, the salivary glands in the mouth produce saliva, which contains bicarbonate. With each swallow, bicarbonate-containing saliva travels down the esophagus. The bicarbonate neutralizes the small amount of acid that remains in the esophagus after gravity and swallowing have detached most of the liquid.

Gravity, swallowing, and saliva are essential defensive mechanisms for the esophagus, but they get successful only when people are in the upright position. At night during sleep, gravity is not in effect, swallowing stops, and the secretion of saliva is condensed. Therefore, reflux that occurs at night is more likely to result in acid which left over the esophagus longer and causing larger harm to the esophagus.

There are certain circumstances that make a person vulnerable to GERD. For example, GERD can be a serious trouble during pregnancy. The elevated hormone levels of pregnancy may cause reflux by letting down the force in the lower esophageal sphincter. At the same time, the rising fetus increases the force in the abdomen. Both of these effects would be expected to gain reflux. Also, patients with diseases that weaken the esophageal muscles, like scleroderma or mixed connective tissue diseases, are more likely to develop GERD.

Tags: Acid Reflux, gastro esophageal reflux, GERD, Tummy Ache



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