Acid reflux disease

Acid reflux disease is a condition where gastric juices which contain acid move from the stomach to the tube that is used for swallowing food, called the esophagus.The lower esophageal sphincter known as the(LES), which is located at the bottom of the esophagus, creates a barrier between the stomach and esophagus.If the lower esophageal sphincter does not close tightly enough or relaxes too often, it gives room for powerful stomach acids to repeatedly back up into the esophagus. The stomach has a special lining to protect it from acids, but the esophagus is more sensitive to stomach acid and if it is repeatedly exposed to stomach acids, it will may become irritated and eventually damaged the esophageal.The usual symptoms of acid reflux disease include heartburn (where you sense a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up towards the neck), regurgitation (where food is brought back up into the mouth) and chest pain. Persons affected experience difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, dental erosion and asthma (because acidic juices can make their way into the throat, mouth and air passages of the lungs).Acid reflux disease can be quite discomforting and can affect everyday activities and also the quality of life. One of the common symptoms of acid reflux disease is heartburn. If heartburn is persistent from two days to a week, and this condition occurs despite using over-the-counter (OTC ) medication, this could mean the onset of acid reflux disease and so it is advisable to consult a doctor on the matter. If heartburn is severe and at the same time esophagitis is present, the lining of the esophagus may become ulcerated and the food passage becomes narrow, making it very difficult and painful to swallow food and liquids. When acid reflux disease occurs in people with esophagitis, there may also be an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus.Acid reflux disease can last several months or longer if not treated. When an affected person is treated with drugs, the required treatment lasts a short while. In some cases, the treatment may be repeated since symptoms of the disease may re-occur.

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