Search Health Information Gastroesophageal reflux
diseaseDefinition: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a
condition in which the stomach contents (food or liquid) leak
backwards from the stomach into the esophagus (the tube from the
mouth to the stomach). This action can irritate the esophagus,
causing heartburn and other symptoms. Peptic esophagitis; Reflux
esophagitis; GERD; Heartburn - chronic; Dyspepsia - GERD Causes,
incidence, and risk factors: When you eat, food passes from the
throat to the stomach through the esophagus (also called the
food pipe or swallowing tube). Once food is in the stomach, a
ring of muscle fibers prevents food from moving backward into
the esophagus. These muscle fibers are called the lower
esophageal sphincter, or LES. If this sphincter muscle doesn't
close well, food, liquid, and stomach acid can leak back into
the esophagus. This is called reflux or gastroesophageal reflux.
This reflux may cause symptoms, or can even damage the
esophagus. The risk factors for reflux in