Reflux means that stomach acid and juices flow from the stomach back up into the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach (esophagus). This causes heartburn. When you have heartburn at least 2 times a week, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Eating too much or bending forward after eating sometimes causes heartburn and a sour taste in the mouth. But having heartburn from time to time doesn't mean you have GERD.

In normal digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to allow food to pass into the stomach and closes to prevent food and acidic stomach juices from flowing back into the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES is weak or relaxes inappropriately, allowing the stomach's contents to flow up into the esophagus. The severity of GERD depends on LES dysfunction, as well as the type and amount of fluid brought up from the stomach and the neutralizing effect of saliva.

It is a common health problem that physicians feel is caused by a hiatal hernia or when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES which is the opening to your stomach doesn't work well enough to hold food and fluids in the stomach and allows food and stomach juices and acids to wash back into the esophagus.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) develops when stomach acid and juices back up, or reflux, into the esophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This happens when the valve between the lower end of the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) does not close tightly enough. GERD most commonly occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes at the wrong time (that is, when you are not swallowing) and remains open too long.

Along with lifestyle changes, nonprescription medications may be needed to control occasional heartburn. Medications used for home treatment of GERD include antacids, or nonprescription medicines that reduce or block acid. These include H2 blockers (for example, Pepcid) or a proton pump inhibitor (for example, Prilosec OTC). For more information about prescription forms of these drugs, see the Medications section of this topic.

Gastroesophageal refers to the stomach and esophagus (or "food pipe"). Reflux means to flow back or return. Therefore, gastroesophageal reflux is the return of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus.

GERD describes a backflow of acid from the stomach into the swallowing tube or esophagus. This acid can irritate and sometimes damage the delicate lining on the inside of the esophagus. Almost everyone experiences GERD at some time. The usual symptom is heartburn, an uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone, most commonly occurring after a meal.

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Morning hoarseness; chronic sore throat; frequent throat clearing; excessive phlegm; prolonged voice warn-up time; a sensation of a "lump in the throat"; night coughing. These do not enhance vocal quality. Salt water and lemon juice, are each irritating and drying to the tissues of the mouth and throat.

No. GERD has probably been around as long as heartburn. The term is relatively new (about 20 years), however, and has really come into common usage over the past few years. GERD is often called "reflux," "reflux esophagitis," or sometimes even "hiatus hernia" (although hiatus hernia is a specific diagnosis that may or may not have anything to do with GERD).

Answer: There is no definite answer for this question because different individuals are in different stages of development with acid reflux/GERD. According to the experience of our customers, most people achieve about 75% improvement in 3 to 4 weeks by taking Acidgone® 2 to 4 times a day. Some of our customers achieve drastic improvement in one week. Answer: One of the reasons is that after taking a full serving of Acidgone®, you will be full.

Answer: No, definitely not. You may stop taking it after you recover. You may start back any time you want or take it sporadically as needed for acid reflux or body detox. Acid reflux (GERD), like obesity, is not a real disease. It is a result of improper eating and digestive functions. In other words, you may suffer from it again after you stop taking Acidgone® and start improper lifestyle practices again. However, Acidgone® may be taken on a daily basis if you choose to.

Medical therapy is the first line of management. Esophagitis will heal in approximately 90% of cases with intensive medical therapy. However, symptoms recur in more than 80% of cases within one year of drug withdrawal. Since it is a chronic condition, medical therapy involving acid suppression and/or pro-motility agents may be required for the rest of a patient's life. Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective treatment for GERD when medical management fails.

Nissen fundoplication has emerged as the most widely accepted procedure for patients with normal esophageal motility. Two surgical techniques are employed to perform Nissen fundoplication: open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. In open surgery we make a 6- to 10-inch incision in the middle of the abdomen, from just below the ribs to the umbilicus. If the patient has a hiatal hernia, that is repaired first and then the surgeon performs the procedure.

Yes; This problem is quite common in infants and child as well. Most of the time in infants it results due to faulty feeding techniques.