What is acid reflux? What can it cause?

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a medical condition characterized by the backflow of stomach contents such as acid and bile into the esophagus. It is an incredibly uncomfortable condition that can cause many unpleasant and often painful symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include regurgitation, heartburn, chest pain, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, sore throat and choking sensation.

The primary cause of acid reflux is when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) malfunctions due to weakened muscles or nerve damage inside the abdomen. This allows acidic stomach contents to creep up into your esophagus where it causes irritation and inflammation that leads to many of those aforementioned uncomfortable symptoms. Poor diet choices, obesity and pregnancy are all common risk factors for developing acid reflux due to increased pressure on the abdomen from excess weight or hormones caused by pregnancy. Other lifestyle factors such as smoking tobacco products or drinking alcohol can contribute to this development as well.

Untreated acid reflux can lead even further complications including chronic coughing due to aspirating small amounts of stomach acids while sleeping at night; hoarseness; asthma flare-ups; dental erosion; difficulty swallowing food/liquids; throat infection (pharyngitis); nasty ulcers both in your mouth and stomach lining; Barrett's Esophagus (a type of precancerous change in cells within your lower esophagus); ulcerative colitis referred pain & nausea/vomiting from GERD etc.

Fortunately there are treatments available for managing GERD with lifestyle changes being an effective first line defense against this condition along with medications such as antacids H2 antagonists proton pump inhibitors etc.. If you think you may be suffering from Acid Reflux please contact your doctor immediately!