Acid Reflux essays

Acid Reflux essays Millions of people suffer from Acid Reflux Disease each year. It affects the esophogus and can be fairly serious in some cases. In 1988 more than 61 million American adults said they suffer from it at least once a month. (Diagnosis Health) Acid Reflux disease, also known as Gasrtoesophagael reflux disease is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up, or refluxes, into the esophagus. This liquid usually contains pepsin, which is an enzyme that begins the digestion of protien in the stomach, and acid which is also produced in the stomach. The liquid may also contain bile from the stomach. The regurgitated liquid can eventually inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus in serious cases. The acid in the liquid is the most serious of the components. The bile and pepsin also play a role is the damage of the esophagus, but not as big a role. (Medicine net) Acid reflux is a chronic condition, once some one has it, they usually have it for life. The damage to the esophagus is also lifelong, and if a patient is treated, after the treatment ends, the damage will most likely return, so treatment will have to be used indefinetly. The disease is a complex one, with many causes, and causes may be different for every indivual. One of the most important fatcors that lead to acid reflux is the Lower esphogeal sphincter muscle. It surrounds the lower-most end of the esophagus where it joins the stomach. Two abnormalties of the mucle causes acid reflux. If the muscle is weak, it reduces the ability to prevent reflux. Another is abnormal relaxations. The relaxations allow reflux to occur more easily. The relaxations occur in patients with Acid reflux commonly after eating. Relaxations happen to people who do not have the disease, but it is much less frequent. (Medicine Net) Another contributor is Hiatal hernias. The way they contribute is unclear, but the majority of patients that h ...