What Causes GERD
While most people experience heartburn at some point in their lives and think nothing of it, one should be cautious when it occurs several times a week. This is one of the most prominent symptoms of GERD. GERD—or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease—can also be identified by a sour taste in the mouth or the back of the throat, accompanying the heartburn.
What is GERD?
There is a muscle-like separation that rests between the esophagus and the stomach called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that serves as one of your body’s anti-reflux mechanisms. This sphincter’s purpose, like the others in your body, is to close off the passageways of your body. People that suffer from GERD may have a faulty LES that does not properly relax as the person swallows. When the LES is not performing as it should, gastric acid can often make its way from the stomach and into the esophagus. When this occurs, the esophagus can swell and become inflamed; this is what is referred to as esophagitis.
Is GERD serious?
While there is no immediate life-threatening risk, GERD can cause excruciating pain if it remains untreated and ignored. If GERD goes too long without being treated, it could very well lead to the narrowing of the esophagus and even severe esophagus damage. While there is no direct proof, this is a condition that is often linked to cancer development. Other ailments that can come about as the result of untreated GERD are bleeding and ulceration.
Other causes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Some people are born with a condition known as hiatal hernia (others can develop it later in life). This is a condition that comes about when part of the stomach herniates upwards into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm. This can cause GERD because the muscles of the diaphragm wrap around the LES. These muscles typically work together to keep the esophagus shut. Therefore, when someone experiences a hiatal hernia, the LES becomes dislocated and moves into the chest cavity. No longer having the aide of the diaphragm muscles, the LES in not able to completely close as it should.
Diagnosing and treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
As previously stated, frequent heartburn is a suspect for GERD. Some doctors may perform a History Endoscopy in order to confirm GERD. Many people alter their eating habits and come up with a diet for GERD. These diets include cutting back on fat intake, cutting out large meals and doing away with items such as coffee, chocolate and carbonated drinks.
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