Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common, chronic disease of the human digestive tract. GERD is caused by stomach acid, bile, or stomach contents spilling backwards through the digestive tract and into the esophagus. The substances from the stomach are very irritating the lining of the esophagus and cause pain and discomfort. If left untreated, this irritation can turn into inflammation and the esophageal lining can eventually deteriorate, bleed, and lead to a narrowing of the esophagus. “Damage to cells in the lower esophagus from acid exposure leads to formation of scar tissue, this scar tissue narrows the food pathway, causing difficulty swallowing” (Mayo, 2017). The backward flow of the stomach contents into the esophagus is caused by a weakened or structurally deficient esophageal sphincter. The lower esophageal sphincter may fail to close all the way, especially after a person eats and there is food in the stomach, and if it does not close properly, there is the potential for leakage from the stomach back up into the bottom part of the esophagus. The ingestion of alcoholic beverages and smoking can further cause the esophageal sphincter to weaken or close improperly, exacerbating the problem.
Symptoms of GERD can include heartburn, coughing, pain in the thoracic cavity, trouble swallowing, and a feeling of having a lump in the throat. People who are overweight, have a hiatal hernia, are pregnant, or who smoke are at higher risk for GERD. There are lifestyle changes that can reduce the symptoms of GERD, including avoiding foods that are strong stimulators of stomach acid such as orange juice, coffee, fried foods, tomatoes, and onions (Tortoria & Derrickson, 2013). There are certain medications, both over the counter and prescription, that can help relieve some of the symptoms of GERD as well. Histamine blockers keep the stomach from producing as much acid, and acid neutralizers can also be useful.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). GERD. Mayo Clinic Patient Care and Health Information. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatic-cancer/home/ovc-20268502
- Tortoria, G.T. & Derrickson, B. (2013). Principles of anatomy & physiology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
