Acid reflux disease is a problem that arises when the liquid in the stomach goes back
or refluxes to the esophagus. This
condition is also known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These liquid which is composed of acid,
pepsin, and bile are produced by the stomach to aid in digestion but can cause
damage when it goes back to the esophagus.
Pepsin is responsible of digesting protein in the stomach while bile is
from the duodenum part of small intestine which is vital for fat
absorption. Among the three components,
acid has the biggest role of damaging the esophagus lining and eventually cause
inflammation.
According to the study conducted by experts, any human being have
a tendency to experience reflux of liquid from the stomach, the only difference
is that, people suffering from GERD have more acid in the liquid and tend to
reflux higher compared to normal beings.
Once you are suffering from this chronic disease, the treatment should
be taken consistently because the problem seems to recur when you stop the
designed treatment, though there are some who believes that the solution to
this disease is by treating it symptomatically.
This means that you will only have to take medication or follow
prescribed diet once any symptom occur.
Like in any untoward situation, the body always compensates to
keep the normal function intact. With
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, most cases happen in day time when the
position assumed is upright. Because of
this, the gravity allows the refluxed liquid to go back to the stomach. Swallowing and the saliva produced by the
salivary gland in the mouth plays an important role in neutralizing acid. Every time you swallow, saliva becomes
equipped with bicarbonate which travels through the esophagus and causes
neutralization of acid. This leaves the
esophagus with less acid at the end of the day.
On the other hand, attacks of GERD happen most of the time at
night, when the person is no longer on upright position thus impeding the gravity
to work. Another fact is that, the
production of saliva is lower, which means there is no enough bicarbonate to
neutralize the acid and swallowing is not happening as well. This means more acid is stuck in the
esophagus which can create chronic damage in it.
There are many causes of Acid Reflux Disease and sometimes
it is only secondary to the existing problem or changes in the body. Take for example during pregnancy, there are
certain hormones that can lower the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter
thus causing regurgitation, the presence of the fetus is also putting more
pressure, therefore can cause reflux of liquid to the esophagus as well. Another disease is scleroderma; this is one
condition of the connective tissues which causes weakening of the esophageal
muscles thus aggravate GERD to develop.
