Gastric reflux

Gastric reflux, also known as GERD, is a long-term medical condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of the esophagus, causing symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation of acid.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of gastric reflux include:

• Heartburn - a burning sensation in the chest, usually after eating, which might be worse at night
• Regurgitation - a sour or bitter-tasting acid backing up into the throat or mouth
• Difficulty swallowing (known as Dysphagia)
• Chest pain
• Dry cough
• Hoarseness or sore throat
• Sensation of a lump in the throat

Causes

Gastric reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) — a ring of muscle fibers that separates the esophagus and the stomach — becomes weak or relaxes when it shouldn't. This allows the stomach acid and sometimes partially digested food to flow back into the esophagus.

Risk Factors

Factors that can increase the risk of gastric reflux include:

• Obesity
• Bulging of the top of the stomach up into the diaphragm (a condition known as Hiatal hernia)
• Pregnancy
• Connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma
• Delayed stomach emptying
• Factors that can aggravate acid reflux include smoking, eating large meals or eating late at night, eating high-fat or fried foods, drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee, taking certain medications, such as aspirin

Treatment

Treatment for gastric reflux usually involves lifestyle changes and medications. Lifestyle changes might include weight loss, avoiding certain foods and drinks that trigger symptoms, and eating smaller meals. Medications might include over-the-counter antacids, H-2-receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors.

See Also

• Heartburn
• Esophagus
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Hiatal hernia
• Dysphagia

Gastric reflux Resources
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