How do people get GERD? What causes GERD?
GERD is caused by reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. In most patients this is due to a transient relaxation of the gate or sphincter that keeps the lower end of the esophagus closed when a person is not swallowing food or liquids. This transient relaxation happens a few times each day in people without GERD. Why it happens more frequently in GERD patients isnt known. The esophagus is not able to cope with acid as well as the stomach and is easily injured. It’s the acid refluxing into the esophagus that produces the symptoms and potentially damages the esophagus.
