What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) develops when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which normally acts as a valve to let food enter the stomach, opens spontaneously or does not properly close, resulting in stomach contents backing up into the esophagus. This reflux, or backwash of food, acid and enzymes into the esophagus may cause a burning sensation in the throat or chest. If this occurs more than once or twice a week, such acid reflux is considered to be GERD, and may lead to serious health problems.

GERD irritates the esophagus and can lead to a narrowing and/or ulceration of the esophagus, a risk of Barrett's esophagus, and a slightly increased risk of esophageal cancer.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common digestive disorder with symptoms of heartburn in which stomach contents regurgitate (reflux) into the esophagus often causing inflammation and damage to the esophagus and occasionally to the lungs and vocal cords. Afflicting an estimated 25 million Americans, GERD has a variety of different causes.

Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when contents in the stomach flow back into the esophagus. This happens when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, known as the lower esophageal sphincter, does not close properly.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease refers to the damage of the esophageal tissue caused by reflux of stomach contents up into your esophagus. Most specifically it is the acid from the stomach contents that cause the damage.

GERD is an abbreviation for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition that refers to damage to the lining of the lower esophagus caused as a result of frequent or prolonged exposure to stomach acid. The primary symptom is acid reflux (also known as heartburn), which is felt as a burning sensation in the pit of the stomach or in the middle of the chest beneath the breastbone. Sometimes pain can be felt between the shoulder blades or in the jaw or teeth.

Large food portions increase the risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs when acidic stomach contents pass back up into the esophagus. This happens when the pressure in the stomach exceeds the pressure exerted by the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. Once the stomach acid reaches the esophagus, a little can be done to stop it from traveling to your throat, sinuses, larynx, or lungs, especially after meals and at night when you are lying flat.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder affecting the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle connecting the esophagus and stomach. The LES is a high-pressure zone that acts as a barrier to protect the esophagus against the backflow of gastric acid from the stomach.

Normally, the LES works something like a gate, opening to allow food to pass into the stomach and closing to keep food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES relaxes when it shouldn't or becomes weak, allowing contents of the stomach to rise up into the esophagus. Scientists aren't sure exactly why this happens. The LES is a complex segment of smooth muscle under the control of nerves and various hormones. As a result, dietary substances, drugs, and nervous system factors can impair its function.

Reflux means that stomach acid and juices move back up into your esophagus, the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach. This can cause heartburn, ulcers, and damage to your esophagus. When you have heartburn that bothers you often, it's called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

You can treat GERD with lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and making changes in your diet to avoid foods that make your heartburn worse. Your doctor may also suggest medicines.