Acid reflux is a term used to describe a condition, in which acid from the stomach flows back into the esophagus, which causes discomfort and pain. The pain and discomfort is called heartburn.
The esophagus is the tube that is in between the back of your throat (pharynx) and the stomach. The esophagus as defined by the Medilexicon’s Medical Dictionary has three parts including the cervical, the thoracic, and the abdominal.
The esophageal sphincter is found where the stomach and the esophagus meet. The stomach creates potent acids and enzymes during the digestion process. The stomach’s lining is protected from the acids from mechanisms found in the lining of the stomach; the esophagus on the other hand does not have this protection. At this point, where the stomach and esophagus meet is a valve known as the lower esophageal sphincter, which is suppose to stop the acids and enzymes from going into esophagus. If the valve becomes weak, the juices can seep upwards into esophagus causing acid reflux.
In the majority of cases, acid reflux is a condition that only occurs once in awhile and is not a huge problem. On the other hand, some individuals have persistent acid reflux and heartburn. This can develop into what is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some severe cases cause the esophagus to become scarred at which time it can be very difficult to swallow along with the risk of developing esophagus cancer.
There is a difference between acid reflux and heartburn. Heartburn is nothing more than the sensation brought on by acid reflux, which is the action. The movement of the juices into the esophagus is the acid reflux, whereas the pain and discomfort is the heartburn.
Symptoms of Acid Reflux
- Asthma brought on from the juices traveling up the esophagus into the throat, mouth and air passages of the lungs
- Chest pain
- Erosion of the teeth
- Trouble swallowing
- Heartburn
- Hoarse voice
- Regurgitation
Causes of Acid Reflux
The major cause of acid reflux is that the lower esophageal sphincter does not work in the way it should to keep the acids and enzymes created by the stomach in the stomach. The juices (acids and enzymes) seep upward into the esophagus. The exact cause in not known but it has been speculated that the pressure in the stomach is more that the lower esophageal sphincter can handle thus the juices rise into the esophagus.
Acid reflux is seen more often in certain situations including:
- Pregnancy – acid reflux is often a problem during the third trimester. The thought behind this is that the baby is pressing against the stomach at this time which causes too much pressure for the lower esophageal sphincter to control, thus the juices make it upward into the esophagus.
- Large Meals – Individuals that eat large meals have the tendency to experience acid reflux.
- Leaning forward – Some individuals notice acid reflux when leaning forward, however, if this occurs normally there are underlying health problems.
- Hiatus hernia – a circumstance where the upper part of the stomach pushes into the chest through an opening in the diaphragm. This condition can be caused from pregnancy, obesity, vomiting, and severe coughing
- Smoking – smokers have lower levels of bicarbonates in their saliva, which neutralizes acids. Smoking stimulates the production of the juices, encourages the movement of bile salts from the intestine to the stomach, weakens the esophageal sphincter, and slows down digestion.
