Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or acid reflux - a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach is thrown into the esophagus .  Esophagus - a muscular tube that extends from the stomach to the oropharynx .  The lower part of the esophagus to the point where it connects to the stomach, is surrounded by a ring of muscles - the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) .  Most of the time it contracts and closes the passage from the esophagus to the stomach .  When a person swallows food or saliva esophageal sphincter relaxes for a few seconds in order to allow food to pass from the esophagus into the stomach and then closes again .  When reflux observed complexity of the esophageal sphincter: he is not strong enough, or compressed, which reduces the ability to prevent reflux, or too relaxed .  If the sphincter is tightly compressed, the acid generated by the stomach, enters the esophagus, which can cause symptoms such as a burning sensation and pain in the chest Chest pain   (heartburn). If acid reflux symptoms occur more than twice a week, this is evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Causes of acid reflux

The most common cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease - a pathology of the stomach known as a hernia Hernia: Types and symptoms - which are the most dangerous?   hiatal. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach, its image, and the lower esophageal sphincter located near the esophagus above the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the stomach from the chest. Normally, the diaphragm helps to keep the acid in the stomach. But if you have a hiatal hernia, acid may move up into the esophagus and cause symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

There are the following risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing acid reflux:

• Overeating or go lying down immediately after eating.
• Being overweight or obese.
• Eating heavy meals in the supine position, or bent.
• Eating before bedtime.
• Eating certain foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, spicy and fatty foods.
• The use of certain beverages, such as alcohol, soft drinks, coffee or tea.
• Smoking.
• Pregnancy.
• Taking certain drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, or certain means of blood pressure.

Symptoms of acid reflux

Distinguish the following symptoms of acid reflux:

• Heartburn - a burning sensation or discomfort; feeling can move from the stomach to the chest, or even up into the throat.
• Regurgitation - sour or bitter taste of the liquid rising from the stomach, which is felt in the throat or mouth.

Less common symptoms of acid reflux include:

• Bloating.
• Bloody or black stools, or vomiting blood.
• Belching.
• Dysphagia - narrowing of the esophagus, resulting in a feeling that food is stuck in the throat.
• Hiccups, which does not pass.
• Nausea.
• Weight loss for no apparent reason.
• Shortness of breath, dry cough, hoarseness, or chronic sore throat.

Diagnosing acid reflux

Should see a doctor if the symptoms of acid reflux occur two or more times a week, or if medications do not bring relief. These characteristic symptoms as heartburn is the key to the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease, especially if changes in lifestyle and eating habits, intake of antacids or other drugs do not help to reduce these symptoms.

If home treatments do not help, or if you have a highly pronounced and frequent symptoms, a doctor may prescribe tests and surveys to confirm the diagnosis and detection of other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. To diagnose acid reflux appoint one or more of the following studies:

• endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract: a tube with an optical system for observing the patient swallowed. As we move to the bottom of the tube gastrointestinal mucosa can be investigated esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Sometimes the inflamed lining of the esophagus looks at it there is erosion (shallow breaks esophageal mucosa) or ulcers.
• esophageal manometry can check the function of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter.
• a study of gastric acidity (24-hour esophageal pH monitoring) in patients with symptoms of GERD under reflux a large amount of acid than in patients without symptoms of GERD. In this study, a small tube (catheter) is inserted through the nose and placed in the esophagus. In the upper part of the catheter is a sensor that detects acid. The other end of the catheter comes out through the nose, ear surrounds, encircles the waist which is connected to a recording device. Each time there is acid reflux into the esophagus from the stomach acid irritates the sensor device and recording episodes of reflux. After 20-24 hours the catheter is removed and there is analysis of the records of reflux.
• esophageal biopsy: operate using an endoscope; is very important in the diagnosis of cancer or inflammation of the esophagus is found to be non-acid reflux, such as infections of the esophagus.
• X-ray examination: the patient takes the barium (contrast material) and then do an x-ray with barium-filled esophagus. The problem with esophagogram is unsusceptible that analysis in the diagnosis of GERD, i.e. esophagogram can not detect GERD symptoms in many patients because they have esophageal mucosa damaged insignificantly or not at all damaged.