What Causes Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)?
To understand gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it is first helpful to understand what causes heartburn. Most people will experience heartburn if the lining of the esophagus comes in contact with too much stomach juice for too long a period of time. The stomach juice consists of acids, digestive enzymes, and other materials. The prolonged contact of acidic stomach juice with the esophageal lining irritates the esophagus, resulting in a burning discomfort. Normally, a muscular valve at the lower end of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) serves as a gate to keep the acid in the stomach and out of the esophagus. In GERD, the LES relaxes too frequently, which allows stomach acid to reflux, or flow backward into the esophagus. Thus, we get the term acid reflux. The cause for the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter is often stress, medications, and lifestyle – primarily diet and eating habits.
