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. 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.
Reflux may cause symptoms, or it can even damage the esophagus.
The risk factors for reflux include: Hiatal hernia (a condition
in which part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm, which is
the muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities) You
may not need any tests if you