What is Gastro-Eosophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)- Health Conditions

What is Gastro-Eosophageal Reflux Disease
(GERD)?

What is gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder of the digestive system where the eosophagus is exposed to the stomachs contents (partially digested food and stomach acids) through reflux or regurgitation and this causes erosion, ulceration and inflammation to the eosophagus, together with discomfort and pain.

The eosophagus (also known as the gullet) passes from the back of the throat to the stomach and it moves in rhythmic wave-like motion to move food down through it and into the stomach. At each end of the eosophagus there are sphincters - the one near the throat prevents foods from coming back up and the one near the stomach (the lower eosophageal sphincter) keeps the food in the stomach and prevents the food from coming back up the eosophagus

In people with gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD), the lower eosophageal sphincter opens to allow undigested food and acid from the stomach into the eosophagus and this invariable damages the eosophagus since there is no protective lining on the eosophagus to prevent damage from the acidic contents, as there is in the stomach.

Facts about gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of heartburn and indigestion in Western society
It is estimated that around 25% of the population experiences symptoms from gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD) weekly
GERD is very common in Western countries where the diet is often rich in fats and high in alcohol and low in fibre
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol often causes reflux symptoms associated with GERD
Caffeine causes symptoms in people with GERD
GERD is mostly responsible for heartburn symptoms
Reflux symptoms are very common in babies and toddler and usually does not signify any serious problem

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Last reviewed: 10 November 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009

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