What Is GERD?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
3. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short, is a condition where the patient’s digestive juices are able to flow from their digestive system back into the esophagus. This tends to occur because the esophageal sphincter is no longer preventing the juices from escaping.
As mentioned, these juices are slightly acidic, which causes problems for the esophagus. With no natural protective lining, the stomach’s juices will cause a burning sensation of the tissues lining the esophagus. This can be quite painful in a condition that is commonly known as heartburn. It can affect people of all backgrounds and it is, thankfully, not usually at all serious.
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