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What is Acid Reflux? |
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Acid
reflux is the generic term for a condition known
as Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD for
short. Acid reflux is characterized by an abnormal
production of reflux in the esophagus. Acid reflux
results in chronic symptoms and mucosal damage.
Commonly, acid reflux is caused by the changes
in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach.
Changes in the barrier between the esophagus and
the stomach can include a variety of things, namely:
incompetence of the cardiac, transient cardiac relaxation,
hiatus hernia or an impairment in the expulsion
of gastric reflux.
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In adults
suffering from acid reflux, heartburn is a major symptom.
Heartburn is characterized by an uncomfortable burning
sensation located in the center of the chest behind
the breastbone (sternum). Often times people suffering
from acid reflux will only experience one symptom.
Typical acid reflux symptoms in adults can include difficulty
swallowing, chronic chest pain, cough, voice changes,
hoarseness, chronic earache, heartburn, sinusitis and
nausea. In adults, persistent acid reflux can result
in other health complications.
Common complications for older adults include conditions
like Barrett’s esophagus, stricture formation,
esophageal ulcers and esophageal spasms. In addition,
in adults over 60 years of age, persistent acid reflux
may also lead to esophageal cancer.
Although heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux,
experiencing heartburn does not necessarily mean that
one has acid reflux. However, people who experience
heartburn regularly or more than once a week are at
a high risk of developing acid reflux.
Acid reflux can also be found in children and infants.
However, this condition is often very difficult to
detect in children and infants. Detecting acid reflux
in children and infants is very difficult because
their symptoms may vary from the typical adult symptoms
of acid reflux.
In children and infants, acid reflux may cause repeated
vomiting, bad breath, coughing and respiratory problems.
In addition, infants suffering from acid reflux may
exhibit inconsolable crying, refusing food, inadequate
weight gain, effortless spitting up (without being
burped) and burping.
Acid reflux in children and infants may display itself
as one symptom or a combination of different symptoms.
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Often
times with children and infants experiencing acid
reflux, no one symptom is universal. It is estimated
that approximately 35% of babies born in the United
States have acid reflux problems in the first
few month after they are born.
The digestive system of the infant child is usually
the cause of their acid reflux. The digestive
system of the infant child is still in its immature
stages.
Most infants will grow out of their acid reflux
symptoms; however, many do not grow out of the
condition. Typically, an infant will grow out
of acid reflux by the time they are one year old.
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Failure
of the cardiac can cause acid reflux. Normally, the
angle at which the esophagus enters the stomach will
create a valve that prevents bile, enzymes and stomach
acid from traveling back up into the esophagus.
The angle at which the esophagus enters the stomach
is called the “Angle of His.” If substances
like bile, enzymes and stomach acid are not prevented
from traveling back up to the esophagus, the sensitive
esophageal tissue will start to experience inflammation
and a burning sensation.
A condition called Hydrochloridia is also another cause
of acid reflux. Hydrochloridia is a condition in which
someone does not have enough stomach acid. Acidity in
the stomach is what triggers the valve which empties
the stomach into the intestines. If there is not enough
acid in the stomach, this valve does not open.
If the valve that empties into the intestines does not
open, the contents of the stomach will be churned back
up into the esophagus. Although there is not enough
acid in the stomach to move the stomach contents into
the intestines, there is still sufficient acid to irritate
the esophageal tissue. Esophageal tissue is easier to
irritate because it is very delicate.
Several other health factors contribute to acid
reflux. Having a hiatus hernia will increase the likelihood
of developing acid reflux. The mechanical and motility
factors of a hiatus hernia make acid reflux common
in people with this condition.
Obesity is also another health condition that may
cause one to experience acid reflux. In addition,
the increase in body mass index (body fat to body
size ratio) is often associated with more severe forms
of acid reflux. Other conditions that can cause acid
reflux are Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Hypoglycemia,
Scleroderma and Systemic Sclerosis.
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