Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) | HealthInfi - HealthInfi | We Secure Your Health

Wednesday 28 March 2018

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) | HealthInfi


Overview

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)is the abnormal backflow of stomach acid up into the esophagus, the long, muscular tube that connects the back of the mouth to the stomach. The muscle at the border of the esophagus and stomach, called a sphincter, works as a barrier that is normally closed to prevent the contents of the stomach from washing up into the esophagus. It should open only when you swallow.
Acid reflux occurs when this sphincter, or “gate,” opens at the wrong time or is too weak, allowing stomach contents to leak back (or reflux) into the esophagus.
What Is Gastroesophageal Reflux?

Gastroesophageal refers to the stomach and esophagus. Reflux means to flow back or return. Therefore, gastroesophageal reflux is the return of the stomach’s contents back up into the esophagus.
In normal digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach’s contents to flow up into the esophagus. Read More


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