When the liquid content of the stomach refluxes into the esophagus, we can say that we have a condition common in gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is believed that the acid is the component of the stomach liquid that does the most harm to the lining of the esophagus. The refluxed liquid also contains pepsin and bile, but their role in injuring the esophagus is not so clear as in acids case.

Once gastroesophageal reflux disease appeared, it usually lasts all life long. Even if the esophagus has healed, if the treatment is stopped, the injury will return in most patients soon. The treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease usually needs to be continued indefinitely. It is known that the reflux of the stomach's liquid contents into the esophagus can appear in most normal people, but in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease the refluxed liquid contains more acid and remains in the esophagus longer.

Usually, most reflux occurs during the day, when we are in upright position. This position makes the liquid to flow back into the stomach, due to gravitation. When we are awake, we swallow often, and saliva travels down the esophagus, neutralizing the small quantity of liquid that remains in the esophagus after the effect of gravity and repeated swallowing. The saliva contains bicarbonate, and that is why it can have a neutralizing effect for acid. If a reflux takes place during the night, while sleeping, it will probably cause a greater damage effect to the esophagus because, swallowing stops, the secretion of saliva is reduced and gravity is not in effect.

The gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause serious problems during pregnancy, and also in patients that have diseases that weaken the esophageal muscles, such as mixed connective tissue or scleroderma.

There are a lot of factors that can cause the gastroesophageal reflux disease. The lower esophageal sphincter is a specialized ring of muscle that is surrounding the lower-most end of the esophagus where it joins the stomach. It is known that the muscle that makes up the lower esophageal sphincter is active most of the time. It is contracting and closing off the passage from the esophagus into the stomach. It is this closing that prevents reflux, and there are a few situations of abnormalities of the lower esophageal sphincter that must be mentioned. If the lower esophageal sphincter performs a weak contraction, that will reduce the ability of preventing the reflux. There can also appear abnormal relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter, and these allow reflux to occur more easily. total3page: Pre 1 Next