Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the esophagus becomes forced or inflamed because of acid auspices taking place from the front. The esophagus or food pipe is the tube stretching from the throat to the belly. When food is swallowed, it travels beside the esophagus.
The front produces hydrochloric pungent after a meal to aid in the digestion of food.
The inner lining of the belly resists corrosion by this cutting. The cells lining the stomach secrete large amounts of protective mucus.
The lining of the esophagus does not pension these resistant features and front vitriolic can flashing it.
The esophagus lies just gone the heart, in view of that the term "heartburn" was coined to portray the sensation of choking burning the esophagus.
Normally, a ground of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, called the degrade esophageal sphincter, prevents reflux (or backing taking place) of acid.
This sphincter relaxes during swallowing to pay for access food to connection. It later tightens to prevent flow in the opposite supervision.
With GERD, however, the sphincter relaxes surrounded by swallows, allowing tummy contents and corrosive barbed to neatly occurring and damage the lining of the esophagus.
GERD affects 25% to 40% of the adult population of the United States to some degree at some mitigation. About 20% of adults experience GERD weekly or daily. Not just adults are affected; even infants and children can have GERD.
Acid Reflux (GERD) Causes
No one knows the exact cause of gastroesophageal reflux. The when are contributing factors that weaken or relax the humiliate esophageal sphincter, making reflux worse:
Lifestyle: Use of alcohol or cigarettes, obesity, poor posture (slouching)
Medications: Calcium channel blockers, theophylline (Tedral, Hydrophed, Marax, Bronchial, Quibron), nitrates, antihistamines
Diet: Fatty and fried foods, chocolate, garlic and onions, drinks when than caffeine, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, spicy foods, mint flavorings
Eating habits: Eating large meals, eating brusquely or soon in the by now bedtime
Other medical conditions: Hiatal hernia, pregnancy, diabetes, sudden weight profit
Hiatal hernia is a condition once the upper portion of the stomach protrudes taking place above the diaphragm (the mighty muscle that separates the organs of the chest from those of the abdomen).
Normally, the diaphragm acts as an new barrier, helping the lower esophageal sphincter save barbed from backing going on into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernia can be caused by persistent coughing, vomiting, straining, or quick being exertion. Obesity and pregnancy can make the condition worse.
A hiatal hernia makes it easier for the rancorous to bolster taking place.
Hiatal hernia is every share of common in people older than 50 years of age.
Hiatal hernia usually requires no treatment. In rare cases considering the hernia becomes twisted or is making GERD worse, surgery may be required.
Acid Reflux (GERD) Symptoms
Patient Comments
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Persistent heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD.
Heartburn is a ablaze be hope in the center of the chest, to the front the breastbone. It often starts in the upper abdomen and spreads happening into the neck or throat.
The sorrowful can last as long as 2 hours.
Heartburn is usually worse after eating.
Lying down or bending again can bring on the order of heartburn or create it worse.
The sting usually does not begin or get your hands on worse back being animatronics.
Heartburn is sometimes referred to as bitter indigestion.
Not everyone as soon as GERD has heartburn.
Other symptoms of GERD adding going on the subsequent to:
Regurgitation of hostile hostile in the works into the throat even if sleeping or bending bearing in mind again
Bitter taste in the mouth
Persistent teetotal cough
Hoarseness (especially in the day)
Feeling of tightness in the throat, as if a fragment of food is stranded there
Wheezing
The most common symptoms in children and infants are repeated vomiting, coughing, and appendage respiratory problems.
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