Acid Reflux Disease, Commonly Called GERD

The esophagus is the tube that carries food to the stomach. It has a lining that is thin and is sensitive to stomach acid. The sphincter is a thick muscular tissue that keeps food from moving backwards. It is a smooth muscle that is wrapped around the intestinal tract and works to push both food and liquid down through the body from top to bottom. Our stomach is lined with a layer of mucus that soaks up acid from our food and drinks, but the esophagus's lining is thin, therefore stomach acid can cause heartburn, causing acid reflux disease, or GERD.

The esophagus' sphincter does not always work correctly, especially if we have overeaten. The sphincter stretches out and relaxes and the acid, or sometimes bile, backs up into the esophagus, (called acid reflux) often causing heartburn. Heartburn is usually felt within an hour or two after we eat and a burning or pressure is felt in our chest or throat. Over a period of time the esophagus can be damaged, causing long term effects such as ulcers or sometimes cancer. This is called EE or Erosive Esophagitis.

Those who experience heartburn regularly should take care to not overeat. It is best to eat smaller meals more frequently and try not to eat close to bedtime. They should try to cut down on the amounts of fatty foods that they eat. It's best to eat fewer spicy foods and try to cut down on fruits, juices and vegetables that are high in acid content like oranges and orange juice and tomatoes and foods that contain tomato sauce. Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can also cause heartburn. You can get heartburn after drinking alcoholic beverages, caffeine such as soda, coffee and tea, and also from eating chocolate, garlic and onions. Herbs that cause the esophagus to weaken are peppermint, spearmint and lemon balm.

If you are overweight or pregnant you may experience heartburn more often because there is more pressure on the abdomen. Sitting up straight while eating helps your stomach digest foods more easily, and keeping the head of the bed elevated at night keeps acid or bile from backing up into the esophagus. Stress can also play a factor in having this disease as can performing exercises that put pressure on the abdomen. People who have GERD (Gastroesophial Reflux Disease) may experience difficulty swallowing because the esophogial muscle is weakened making it harder to swallow.

Protecting the esophagus from effects of acid or bile is important. Those who have heartburn more than twice a week should protect their esophagus by taking over the counter antacids such as Tums, Tagament, Malox or Mylanta, but they will usually give only temporary relief. Prilosec OTC and Prevacid both offer protection from acid reflux and can be purchased over the counter. There are also medications such as Nexium, Protonix and Zegerid that are available by prescription to help protect the esophagus and cut down on heartburn. These have longer lasting effects.