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What is Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease?

Reading time: 2 min

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a benign disease that occurs when stomach acid rises into the oesophagus (the tube connecting the stomach and mouth). Since the oesophagus does not have the defensive mechanisms to deal with the acidic substances of the stomach, its mucosa becomes irritated and injured.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease explained in first person

Professionals and patients explain how you live with the disease
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease |...
It is a reversible and curable disease. It develops benignly and will disappear if you follow all the measures proposed: diet, exercise and avoiding stress and obesity.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease i...
Whatever I ate, or even eating nothing I had an acid stomach.

GORD is mainly caused by a weakness of the main defensive factors such as the anti-reflux barrier and the lower oesophageal sphincter, not by high acid production.

Anatomy

Between the oesophagus and the stomach, there is a natural barrier formed by the lower oesophageal sphincter (the muscular valve) which relaxes to allow the passage of the food bolus from the oesophagus into the stomach. Once the bolus passes, the sphincter closes to prevent its return from the stomach into the oesophagus. When this mechanism fails, reflux appears.

Reflux occurs when the pressure or strength of the lower oesophageal sphincter is persistently low or when the sphincter relaxes too much. Immediately after eating (the postprandial period) there is an increase in pressure in the stomach due to the presence of the food bolus. This pressure is greater than the force of the sphincter closing, so the acidic contents of the stomach leak into the oesophagus. Since the oesophageal mucosa is not biologically prepared for acid, it becomes irritated and can be injured.

Gastric acid passing into the oesophagus is something that happens to almost everyone and can be considered physiological; that is, normal. It is considered unhealthy only when it has a significant impact on patients and alters their quality of life.

It can appear with symptoms only (non-erosive GORD), with mucosal injury or with both symptoms and lesions (erosive GORD).

How many people does Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease affect?

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is one of the most common digestive disorders. It is the second most common reason for consultation in the digestive medicine speciality, after abdominal pain.

It is estimated that 8-33% of the world population and 9.8% of the Spanish population have the classic symptoms of reflux (heartburn and regurgitation). This incidence is increasing and affects all ages and both sexes.

Read more Causes and risk factors

Related contents

Obesity
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Published: 29 November 2023
Updated: 29 November 2023

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