Gastro refers to the stomach and esophageal refers to the esophagus which function is to carry the food from the mouth to the stomach. So naturally GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the stomach and esophagus, more specifically the lower esophageal sphincter (LSE). For people without this disorder food will be able to pass through the LSE to the stomach without it coming back up and closing once done. But for those with this disease the LSE is essentially broken, whether it be from being weak or relaxing at inappropriate times. This allows food, acidic juices, and bile from the stomach back up into the esophagus, which does not have the protect lining that a stomach does. And it is this reflux on the esophagus lining that causes people to suffer heartburn or acid indigestion. The gastric acid also causes inflammation of the esophagus.
About 1 in 4 Americans suffer from Gerd but it only becomes a major problem if becomes daily or the pain becomes unbearable. For most people, a simple GERD diet or some sort of lifestyle change can help solve the problem, but for others they may need medication or worst yet, surgery. If left untreated, it can lead to dire physical ailments. It may narrow the esophagus, making it hard for the patient to talk and swallow, Barret’s esophagus, ulcers, bleeding, and ultimately cancer. If you are unable to cure yourself through some basic treatment or diet, it is imperative that you go see a doctor for the best treatment.
It is also important to note that if you have GERD you may more likely than not have a hiatal hernia. In 80% of people with Gerd, they also happen to have the hernia. A hiatal hernia is when your stomach pushes through your diaphragm, which has an opening to your esophagus.