course hero what is the cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease

by Kaleigh Hills 4 min read

A major cause of reflux is obesity whereby increased pressure in the abdomen overcomes the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus.

Full Answer

What is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)?

13.What causes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? Excessive production of hydrochloric acid Relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) Presence of H. pylori in the esophagus Reverse muscular peristalsis of the esophagus 14.

What are the causes of Gerd?

Apr 22, 2018 · We do not know why a person has GERD but , there are some foods and drinks that will cause the GERD to surface and they are : citrus foods and drinks , chocolate , drinks with caffeine , fatty and fried foods , onions and garlic , mint flavorings , spicy foods , tomato - based foods , like spaghetti sauce , chili , and pizza ( Gastrointestinal Disease and Disorder …

What is gastroesophageal reflux and how is it treated?

Nov 25, 2017 · Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Syndrome, most common upper GI disorder seen in adults, no single cause Clinically significant symptomatic condition or histopathologic alteration Secondary to reflux of gastric contents into lower esophagus Results when Defenses of lower esophagus are overwhelmed by reflux of gastric contents into …

What is the pathophysiology of Gerd?

Apr 23, 2014 · What are the complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease? (NTP -353) If left untreated, GERD can lead to complications including aspiration (which can cause pneumonia), painful swallowing, fear of eating, ulceration, and perforation of the esophagus.

What is the main cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease?

GERD is caused by frequent acid reflux. When you swallow, a circular band of muscle around the bottom of your esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow into your stomach.May 22, 2020

What bacteria causes gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is a type of bacteria. These germs can enter your body and live in your digestive tract.Dec 7, 2020

How is gastroesophageal reflux disease acquired?

It happens when the valve that prevents stomach contents from going back up to the esophagus becomes weak or opens when it should not. GERD occurs more commonly in people: with obesity or people who are overweight because of increased pressure on the abdomen.

What causes GERD Wiki?

Acid reflux is due to poor closure of the lower esophageal sphincter, which is at the junction between the stomach and the esophagus. Factors that can contribute to GERD: Hiatal hernia, which increases the likelihood of GERD due to mechanical and motility factors.

What foods to avoid if you have Helicobacter pylori?

Food that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid (such as coffee, black tea and soft drinks) and food that irritates the stomach lining (like pepper, and processed, fatty meats, such as bacon and sausage) should be avoided when treating an H. Pylori infection.

What are symptoms of bacterial infection in stomach?

Bacterial gastroenteritis is a digestive problem caused by bacteria. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and pain. In severe cases, you may become dehydrated and have an electrolyte imbalance. Bacterial gastroenteritis is sometimes treated with antibiotics.

How do you treat gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Your doctor may prescribe one or more medicines to treat GERD.Antacids. Doctors may recommend antacids to relieve mild heartburn and other mild GER and GERD symptoms. ... H2 blockers. ... Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). ... Other medicines. ... Fundoplication. ... Bariatric surgery. ... Endoscopy.

What medicine helps acid reflux?

These include esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex) and dexlansoprazole (Dexilant).May 22, 2020

What causes too much acid in the stomach?

There are several causes of high stomach acid. Examples include H. pylori infection, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and rebound effects from medication withdrawal. If left untreated, high stomach acid can lead to complications like ulcers or GERD.Aug 5, 2020

What are the 4 types of GERD?

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common stomach issue. The four types of acid reflux are mild, moderate, severe and the type that can lead to esophageal cancer.Jan 25, 2022

Can GERD cause shortness of breath?

Generally, shortness of breath caused by acid reflux occurs when people have severe acid reflux or GERD that damages the throat, airway, or lungs. If you have heartburn once in a while, it's also possible that your chest may feel strange or tight due to the burning.Feb 10, 2022

Does GERD cause gas?

So, can acid reflux cause gas? The short answer is maybe. Many of the things that contribute to gas also lead to acid reflux. Making lifestyle changes to treat acid reflux may help reduce excessive gas.

What is the difference between gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux?

GERD Causes. The term “gastroesophageal” refers to the stomach and esophagus. Reflux means to flow back or return. Gastroesophageal reflux is when what’s in your stomach backs up into your esophagus. In normal digestion, your LES opens to allow food into your stomach.

What is the best treatment for GERD?

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to treat your symptoms. Antacids: These drugs can help neutralize acid in the esophagus and stomach and stop heartburn.

What is the ring between the esophagus and stomach called?

This ring is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). If you have it, you may get heartburn or acid indigestion.

How to reduce GERD symptoms?

Stopping smoking is important to reduce GERD symptoms. Elevate your head: Raising the head of your bed on 6-inch blocks or sleeping on a specially designed wedge lets gravity lessen the reflux of stomach contents into your esophagus. Don’t use pillows to prop yourself up.

Does a hiatal hernia cause reflux?

Recent studies show that the opening in the diaphragm helps support the lower end of the esophagus. Many people with a hiatal hernia will not have problems with heartburn or reflux. But having a hiatal hernia may allow stomach contents to reflux more easily into the esophagus.

Can lying down cause heartburn?

Lying down or bending over can also result in heartburn. Many people feel better if they stand upright or take an antacid that clears acid out of the esophagus. People sometimes mistake heartburn pain for the pain of heart disease or a heart attack, but there are differences.

What is the best medicine for acid reflux?

H2 blockers: For chronic reflux and heartburn, the doctor may recommend medications to reduce acid in the stomach. These medicines include H2 blockers, which help block acid secretion in the stomach. H2 blockers include: cimetidine ( Tagamet ), famotidine ( Pepcid ), and nizatidine.

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Overview

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Many people, including pregnant women, suffer from heartburn or acid indigestion caused by GERD. Doctors believe that some people suffer from GERD due to a condition called hiatal hernia. In m…
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Definition

  • Gastroesophageal refers to the stomach and esophagus. Reflux means to flow back or return. Therefore, gastroesophageal reflux is the return of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus.
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Pathophysiology

  • In normal digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach's contents to flow up into the esophagus. The severity of GERD depends o…
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Signs and symptoms

  • Coughing, vomiting, straining, or sudden physical exertion can cause increased pressure in the abdomen resulting in hiatal hernia. Obesity and pregnancy also contribute to this condition. Many otherwise healthy people age 50 and over have a small hiatal hernia. Although considered a condition of middle age, hiatal hernias affect people of all ages.
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Treatment

  • Hiatal hernias usually do not require treatment. However, treatment may be necessary if the hernia is in danger of becoming strangulated (twisted in a way that cuts off blood supply) or is complicated by severe GERD or esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus). The doctor may perform surgery to reduce the size of the hernia or to prevent strangulation.
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