by Maya Vokes-Didier

Created on: May 04, 2009   Last Updated: May 23, 2009

Most of us are familiar with the feeling of heartburn and may have suffered from it at some time or the other. Invariably, the cause is something quite mild and harmless. However, occasionally, the cause could be a condition called acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD manifests as a burning sensation in the stomach that is sometimes associated with a taste of food or fluid in the back of the mouth. The burning sensation is experienced when the refluxed stomach acid comes in contact with the esophageal lining and inflames it. So, what causes GERD, what are its symptoms and how can it be treated?

Causes of GERD

There is no one single cause for GERD. However, the common factors that lead to the condition are:

* Hiatal hernias: A hiatal hernia is a condition that occurs when part of the upper stomach bulges up into the chest cavity through the hole (hiatus) for the esophagus. Some people are believed to be born with a hiatal hernia, while others seem to develop it later in life.

* An open lower esophageal sphincter: The lower esophageal sphincter is the most important valve for keeping stomach contents out of the esophagus. When this is lax or open, it leads to a free backwash of stomach contents as happens in the case of GERD.

*Abnormal esophageal contractions: Normal contractions of the esophagus pushes food in the esophagus into the stomach. However, when there these contractions are severely abnormal, the refluxed acid is not pushed back into the stomach.

*A slower emptying of stomach contents: This occurs in a minority of people suffering from GERD. In this condition, the stomach contents get emptied very slowly after a meal. This slower emptying makes it more possible for reflux to occur.

Symptoms of GERD

One of the most common symptoms of GERD is heartburn. Other symptoms may include regurgitation of food or sour liquid, difficulty swallowing, nausea, coughing, wheezing and chest pain - especially while lying down at night.

Other symptoms of complicated cases of GERD are ulcers, strictures, Barrett's esophagus, inflammation of the throat and larynx and infection of the lungs. Some people who suffer from GERD have no symptoms, and are thus said to be having silent GERD!

A link has also been established between GERD and asthma. Refluxed acid from the stomach can be aspirated into the airways and lungs, making breathing difficult in someone who is already suffering from asthma. A triggered nerve reflex can cause the

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