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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder Research Paper

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The Causes and Effects of Gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a common, chronic digestive disease in which stomach acid or contents flow back into the esophagus. This causes the patient to feel discomfort and damages the esophageal lining. A patient is diagnosed with GERD when symptoms of the condition occur twice a week or interfere with his daily life. The doctor may also diagnose a patient with the condition if he observes damage in the esophagus. Statistics show that about 5% to 7% of the world population have symptoms of GERD, and 60% of the adult population experience symptoms of the condition within a 12 month period. Also, about 50% of the patients with the disease report more heartburn at night. GERD can be further defined according to its cause, risk factors, and effects. Reoccurring acid reflux, which is the back flow of stomach acid or bile into the esophagus, can lead to GERD. Normally, when you swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes. When the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes, food and liquid flow down into the stomach, and the former closes again. However, if the valve relaxes abnormally or weakens, stomach acid will flow back up into the esophagus. This will lead to frequent heartburn, which can sometimes disrupt the patent’s daily life. …show more content…

These risk factors include obesity, pregnancy, and hiatal hernia. When the patient is obese, the excess weight can put pressure on the abdomen, causing the acid to flow back up into the esophagus. With pregnancy, the patient’s risk of developing GERD increases; however, symptoms of the condition clear up once she is back to her normal weight. Hiatal hernia occurs when the top of the stomach protrudes into the diaphragm, which can allow stomach contents to back up into the esophagus. Other potential causes of GERD are smoking and

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