What causes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:When the valve at the end of the esophagus is weakened, stomach acid flows upward into your esophagus, causing the sensation of heartburn. It is not completely clear what causes the valve to weaken, but obesity, hiatal hernias, diabetes, and smoking can put you at high risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Also, certain foods and drinks such as chocolate, fatty foods, and alcohol promote acid reflux by reducing the pressure on the valve.When the valve at the end of the esophagus is weakened, stomach acid flows upward into your esophagus, causing the sensation of heartburn. It is not completely clear what causes the valve to weaken, but obesity, hiatal hernias, diabetes, and... More -
Dr. Linda Lee of Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Various foods and beverages increase acid reflux by increasing gastric acidity, decreasing pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, and slowing the emptying of the stomach. Reflux is worsened by eating large meals, since they increase gastric pressure. Foods and drinks that may worsen the symptoms of acid reflux include:
- Caffeinated beverages and decaffeinated coffee
- Alcohol
- Tomato-based products (including salsa, pizza, pasta sauces)
- Acidic liquids, like citrus fruits and juices
- Peppermint and spearmint
- Fatty foods
- Chocolate
- Spicy foods
Various foods and beverages increase acid reflux by increasing gastric acidity, decreasing pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, and slowing the emptying of the stomach. Reflux is worsened by eating large meals, since they increase gastric... More -
Dr. Ralph Aye of Swedish answered:Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by a breakdown in the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, which allows acid and other digestive fluids in the stomach to come up into the esophagus. Though the stomach lining is resistant to the harsh nature of these fluids, the esophagus is not. When acid enters the esophagus, you may experience a wide variety of symptoms.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is caused by a breakdown in the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus, which allows acid and other digestive fluids in the stomach to come up into the esophagus. Though the stomach lining is... More -
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when there is an imbalance between the normal defense mechanisms of the esophagus and offensive factors such as acid and other digestive juices and enzymes in the stomach. Often, the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus is impaired by weakening of the muscle (lower esophageal sphincter) or the presence of a hiatal hernia, where part of the stomach is displaced into the chest. Hiatal hernias, however, are common and not all people with a hiatal hernia have reflux.
A major cause of reflux is obesity whereby increased pressure in the abdomen overcomes the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus. Obesity, pregnancy, smoking, excess alcohol use and consumption of a variety of foods such as coffee, citrus drinks, tomato-based products, chocolate, peppermint and fatty foods may also contribute to reflux symptoms.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when there is an imbalance between the normal defense mechanisms of the esophagus and offensive factors such as acid and other digestive juices and enzymes in the stomach. Often, the barrier... More -
GERD is caused by the valve between the stomach and esophagus not staying closed tightly enough to prevent stomach contents from going back into the esophagus.GERD is caused by the valve between the stomach and esophagus not staying closed tightly enough to prevent stomach contents from going back into the esophagus. More -
Sharecare User answered:Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when there is a defective reflux barrier. The stomach contents including acid back up into the esophagus and damage the lining of the esophagus. Normally the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure acts as a valve that prevents reflux of contents, specifically acid, from the stomach. The LES pressure is lowered in pregnancy as well as in certain diseases (scleroderma). Reflux symptoms also occur when patients have a hiatal hernia (part of the stomach resides in the thoracic cavity) or in obese patients in whom there is increased intra abdominal pressure which overcomes the LES allowing for reflux of stomach acid. Lower LES pressure can be due to eating certain foods-chocolate, peppermint, alcohol- and can occur as a side effect of certain medications such as theophylline, nitrates, sedatives, anticholinergics, calcium channel blockers, alpha adrenergic antagonists, prostaglandins.Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when there is a defective reflux barrier. The stomach contents including acid back up into the esophagus and damage the lining of the esophagus. Normally the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure acts as a... More
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Dr. Lawrence Friedman answered:Malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the main factor contributing to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Other factors have also been identified. In one study, about half of reflux patients exhibited impaired motility of the stomach -- the inability of the stomach muscles to contract in a normal fashion. This might lead to delayed emptying of the stomach, increasing the risk that acid will reflux back into the esophagus. A failure of peristaltic (wavelike movement of intestinal muscles) contractions to clear the esophagus of acid that has refluxed, a lessening of the esophageal lining's ability to resist damage, or a shortage of saliva (which has a neutralizing effect on acid) can play a part as well.
Episodes of reflux often go unnoticed, but when reflux is excessive and frequent, the gastric juices irritate the gullet, producing pain, which is experienced as heartburn. Sometimes acid regurgitates all the way up to the mouth and may come up forcefully as vomit or as a "wet burp." Most symptoms of GERD are transient and occur only in certain situations, such as after a big meal, a time of stress, or when a person bends over or lies down.
Other medical conditions can also contribute to GERD. As many as 70% of asthma patients, for example, have reflux. It's not clear, however, whether asthma is a cause or an effect. Still, asthma often improves when GERD is treated. Other illnesses that sometimes contribute to reflux include diabetes, peptic ulcers, and some types of cancer.Malfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is the main factor contributing to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Other factors have also been identified. In one study, about half of reflux patients exhibited impaired motility of the... More -
Gastric acid from the stomach can sometimes flow past the sphincter and up the esophagus. In this video, Sharmila Anandasabapathy, MD, a gastroenterologist at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, discusses the most common causes of GERD.
Gastric acid from the stomach can sometimes flow past the sphincter and up the esophagus. In this video, Sharmila Anandasabapathy, MD, a gastroenterologist at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, discusses the most common causes of GERD. More -
Healthwise answered:Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when stomach acid and juices back up, or reflux, into the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This occurs when the valve between the lower end of the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter ) does not close tightly enough.
Most of the time, GERD happens when the valve relaxes at the wrong time and stays open too long. Normally, the valve is only open for a few seconds when you swallow. Some foods, like peppermint and chocolate, may relax the valve so it doesn't close tightly. Alcohol, tobacco and some medicines can also relax the valve.
Some foods can make GERD worse. Avoiding them can help reduce heartburn. These include citrus fruits, fatty and fried foods, garlic and onions, spicy foods and tomato-based foods like spaghetti sauce and pizza.
Other things can make stomach juices back up, such as:
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy. Heartburn is common during pregnancy, because hormones cause the digestive system to slow down.
- A weak lower esophageal sphincter. If this valve is weak, it won't close normally and reflux will occur more often.
- Hiatal hernia. GERD is common among people who have hiatal hernias.
- Slow digestion. If food stays in your stomach too long before it goes to the small intestine, the stomach contents are more likely to get pushed up into the esophagus and cause heartburn.
- Overfull stomach. Having a very full stomach increases the chance that the valve will relax and let stomach juices back up into your esophagus.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when stomach acid and juices back up, or reflux, into the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This occurs when the valve between the lower end of the esophagus and the... More
