Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that is caused when the stomach contents
whether that be food or liquids leaks backward from the stomach into the esophagus. The
esophagus shown above is the tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. The action can
cause an irritation to the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
When you eat the food passes through the esophagus to get to the stomach. Once it reaches the
stomach there is a ring of muscle fibers called lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that should
prevent the food or liquid you just at form going backwards into the esophagus. If and when the
LES does not close well enough then food, liquid, or stomach acid is able to leak back into the
esophagus. This is what causes the symptoms called reflux or GERD; if it gets to serious it can
cause damage to the esophagus.
Some of the risk that is involved with acid reflux include: alcohol, obesity, pregnancy, and
smoking. Pregnancy can cause the reflux or make it worse as well as other medications.
Symptoms
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Heartburn or a burning chest pain
Eating, lying down, bending can all increase the heart burn rather than help it. Is more
likely or even worse at night, usually is relieved by antacids.
The feeling of food being stuck behind the breastbone
Nausea after eating
Some less common symptoms are:
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Cough or wheezing
Difficulty swallowing
Hiccups
Sore throat
Change in voice.
Treatment
By making a few lifestyle changes you can help treat your symptoms. You can avoid eating food
that causes the problem or changing the routine you do before you go to bed might help. Avoid
drugs like naproxen, ibuprofen, or aspirin but you can take Tylenol to help relieve the pain which
is an acetaminophen. There are over-the-counter drugs that will help treat the symptoms and also
prescription drugs, although they will take long to work then last long then just taking an antiacid.