When some of our friends come up to us ask us what is Acid Reflux? we thought it would be a good idea to share this with everyone. Everyone has experienced an occasional burning heartburn sensation. It can be quite intense and uncomfortable. This pain is actually heartburn but what causes the heartburn is the acid reflux. To answer the question of what is acid reflux; it is necessary to understand, at least in part the digestive workings of the human body.
Food enters the body and with gastric juices is broken down into essentially liquid nutrients. The body then absorbs the nutrients needed and that which is not needed is excreted as waste or stored as fat reserves. Within the body the esophagus is the tube in which food travels down into the stomach. At the junction of the esophagus and the stomach there is a valve that opens and closes hundreds of times daily. Allowing liquid and food to enter the stomach. This valve,called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter, when it closes properly, prevents food and gastric acid from rising. The Lower Esophageal Sphincter normally closes off preventing food back up into the esophagus and throat.
When this valve does not close properly acidic stomach liquid can rise into the esophagus causing a burning and bitter bile taste. The stomach is designed with protective linings that protect against this caustic stomach acid. The esophagus and throat are not. These acidic juices can cause serious damage to the esophagus and throat over a lengthy period, if not treated. This in essence is called Acid Reflux or GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Acid reflux is one of the most common digestive system disorders. So, this in essence answers the question of what is acid reflux.
Our readers ask: What is Acid Reflux?
What is known about acid reflux is that it is caused by the malfunctioning of the esophageal sphincter. Why it becomes faulty or even how has not been discovered, as of yet, although research continues.
Symptoms of acid reflux are sometimes confusing, such as:
Asthma like symptoms- when gastric acid backs up into the throat, esophagus and in some caes even the lungs
Difficulty swallowing- caused by esophageal scars as a result of the acid.
Chest pain- that can in some cases be quite intense and painful
Regurgitating- food rising back up into the throat accompanied by bitter burning sensation
These are but a few of the symptoms of acid reflux that can be experienced. In some cases consuming large meals can cause Acid reflux. Especially, when the stomach has not had sufficient time to process the food before one lays down. This can play a huge role in the gastric juices rising up easier into the throat. The faulty esophageal sphincter, a full stomach and a prone position is a clear recipe for experiencing the unpleasant acid reflux. Allowing the stomach to settle after eating and reducing the size of meals consumed can decrease acid reflux, in some cases. Yet another condition that may often be a contributing factor to acid reflux is called a Hiatal Hernia. A hiatal hernia is in actually a portion of the stomach that protrudes through the chest in a small diaphragm opening, allowing acid reflux to flow. In most cases the hiatal hernia is a resulting factor of obesity, severe coughing or other such straining on the organs.
What is Acid Reflux then?
There are numerous other health issues that may be contributing factors of acid reflux. With the question of what is acid reflux given this simplified explanation one can see how failing to have it treated can be a serious health problem later. The health of your body, every organ, affects the functioning of other organs. Like a fine tuned engine, each organ works in union with another. When one organ or body system is malfunctioning, it does affect the entire system.
We hope to have helped you figured out what this disease is, so that when someone asks you what is acid reflux, you’ll be able to tell them many important details about this disease that ails millions of americans every year.
