💊Daily Pill: What is GERD?
Tips and Tricks for Managing Acid Reflux
The Daily Pill is a series of very short daily posts where I share the definition of a medical term I think we should all know. Read it every morning and build up your medical vocabulary.
💊 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as heartburn, is a chronic digestive condition where the gastroesophageal sphincter - which is supposed to act as a one way valve between the stomach and the esophagus stops working properly, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and cause irritation.
The whole thing happens because while the lining of the stomach evolved to withstand harsh acidic conditions required for digestion, the lining of the esophagus (and the rest of our bodies to be fair) did not. This backwash of acid can irritate and burn the lining of the esophagus and lead to symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and indigestion.
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