Causes of Gastroesophageal Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux, also known as acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates into the esophagus.
This can inflame as well as harm the inside layer of the esophagus even though noticeable symptoms of inflammation take place in a small number of patients.
Usually, the regurgitated liquid contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach.
The refluxed liquid may as well have bile that has backed-up into the stomach from duodenum.
Acid is considered to be the most harmful part of the refluxed liquid.
Pepsin and bile may as well damage the esophagus, although their part in causing the esophageal inflammation and damage is not as intensive as that of acid.
The factors that cause Gastroesophageal Reflux are · Abnormalities of lower esophageal sphincter · Hiatal hernias · Esophageal contractions Abnormalities of Lower Esophageal Sphincter The action of the lower esophageal sphincter is possibly the main factor for stopping reflux.
The muscle that makes up the lower esophageal sphincter is usually active.
This indicates that it is contracting and closing off the way from the esophagus into the stomach.
This closing of the passage stops reflux.
Different abnormalities of the lower esophageal sphincter have been found in patients with gastroesophageal reflux.
One is unusually weak contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter, which lessens its capacity to stop reflux.
Other is irregular relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter, which do not accompany swallowing and last for a long time.
These prolonged relaxations causes acid reflux to occur more easily.
Hiatal Hernias When a hiatal hernia is present, there is a hernial sac, which is a tiny pouch of stomach over the diaphragm.
This sac can trap acid coming from the stomach.
This trap keeps the acid near the esophagus.
Therefore, it is easier for the acid to reflux as the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes with a swallow.
Esophageal Contractions Swallowing creates a ring-like wave of contraction of the esophageal muscles, which narrows the inner cavity of the esophagus.
As the wave of contraction is defective, refluxed acid is not forced back into the stomach.
Different abnormalities of contraction have been explained in patients with Gastroesophageal reflux.
For example, waves of contraction may not start after every swallow or the waves of contraction may disappear before they reach the stomach.
Moreover, the pressure produced by the contractions may be very weak to push the acid back into the stomach.
This can inflame as well as harm the inside layer of the esophagus even though noticeable symptoms of inflammation take place in a small number of patients.
Usually, the regurgitated liquid contains acid and pepsin that are produced by the stomach.
The refluxed liquid may as well have bile that has backed-up into the stomach from duodenum.
Acid is considered to be the most harmful part of the refluxed liquid.
Pepsin and bile may as well damage the esophagus, although their part in causing the esophageal inflammation and damage is not as intensive as that of acid.
The factors that cause Gastroesophageal Reflux are · Abnormalities of lower esophageal sphincter · Hiatal hernias · Esophageal contractions Abnormalities of Lower Esophageal Sphincter The action of the lower esophageal sphincter is possibly the main factor for stopping reflux.
The muscle that makes up the lower esophageal sphincter is usually active.
This indicates that it is contracting and closing off the way from the esophagus into the stomach.
This closing of the passage stops reflux.
Different abnormalities of the lower esophageal sphincter have been found in patients with gastroesophageal reflux.
One is unusually weak contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter, which lessens its capacity to stop reflux.
Other is irregular relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter, which do not accompany swallowing and last for a long time.
These prolonged relaxations causes acid reflux to occur more easily.
Hiatal Hernias When a hiatal hernia is present, there is a hernial sac, which is a tiny pouch of stomach over the diaphragm.
This sac can trap acid coming from the stomach.
This trap keeps the acid near the esophagus.
Therefore, it is easier for the acid to reflux as the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes with a swallow.
Esophageal Contractions Swallowing creates a ring-like wave of contraction of the esophageal muscles, which narrows the inner cavity of the esophagus.
As the wave of contraction is defective, refluxed acid is not forced back into the stomach.
Different abnormalities of contraction have been explained in patients with Gastroesophageal reflux.
For example, waves of contraction may not start after every swallow or the waves of contraction may disappear before they reach the stomach.
Moreover, the pressure produced by the contractions may be very weak to push the acid back into the stomach.
