By Tonya DeVaul, APRN-CNP
Certified Nurse Practitioner, Gastroenterology Associates of Northwest Ohio
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. When this type of backflow happens repeatedly over time, it can lead to esophageal irritation causing GERD. Frequent acid reflux or reflux of nonacidic content from the stomach into the esophagus is what causes GERD. When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the lower part of your esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, relaxes to allow food/liquid to flow into the stomach. After this occurs, the sphincter then closes; however, if the sphincter does not relax as it should and/or it weakens over a period of time, stomach acid then flows back into the esophagus causing irritation/inflammation to the lining of the esophagus.
Some very common signs and symptoms of GERD include burning in the chest after eating (which may be more noticeable at night or when lying flat), regurgitation of food or liquid that may cause a sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), upper abdominal discomfort and the sensation of a lump in the throat (globus sensation).
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