What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a complaint whereby the acidic contents of the stomach are ejected into the oesophagus.  The contents of the stomach often contain strong enzymes such as Pepsin, and the acids which are used to break down food.  With acid reflux, this noxious mixture is brought back up, and can cause serious damage to oesophagus in some rare cases.

Once a patient feels the onset of GERD, he is likely to suffer from it for the rest of his life, as GERD is a chronic condition.  If the oesophagus has also been damaged, this will require a programme of ongoing treatment to ensure the discomfort it causes will not return.

Acid reflux is actually a process which most people will feel fairly regularly.  The different between every day acid reflux, and that of GERD patients is the acidity of the reflux as well as the duration for which it remains in the oesophagus.  The body has an in-built defence mechanism against acid reflux.  As most instances of reflux occur during waking hours when patients are sitting or standing up, the reflux is pulled back into the stomach by the forces of gravity to minimise pain and discomfort. Furthermore, during waking hours people continually swallow saliva, which helps to drive any reflux back down into the stomach.

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