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Acute acid reflux passes with no treatment. Overeating, alcohol and other factors may further weaken it temporarily but the LES never returns to a fully normal state. The LES is permanently weakened to some extent. GERD is a more severe and chronic form of acid reflux known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, the LES returns to its normal functional state after a few hours or days once the causative factor is removed. The alimentary tract has means of dealing with small amounts of stomach acid that occasionally enters the esophagus. This acute reflux is a result of temporary weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). However, the body’s ability to compensate for any irregularity in the short term means that most cases of the odd acid reflux incident will not cause damage to the esophagus or lead to symptoms.Īcid reflux occurs sporadically in a healthy person, like with overeating or alcohol consumption. These measures were not specifically developed in the human body just to deal with stomach acid.
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Large amounts of alkaline saliva may be secreted which is then swallowed and neutralizes any remnants of stomach acid in the esophagus. In the odd case of acid reflux, peristaltic waves (esophageal motility) will quickly push the acidic contents back into the stomach. The esophagus however, is not as competent in dealing with stomach acid.
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Forms of acid relux plus#
The pancreas secretes bicarbonate ions and water which neutralize the acidic chyme in the duodenum plus secretin, a digestive hormone, decreases the secretion of acid in the stomach as well as slowing stomach emptying. The duodenum (first part of the small intestine) also has mechanisms to handle the incoming acidic gastric contents. The stomach is developed to withstand the effects of gastric acid by secreting a mucus layer which acts as a buffer between the acid and the stomach lining. However if the lower esophageal sphincter is compromised or the pressure within the stomach is greater than that caused by the muscle contraction of the sphincter, then the stomach acid will pass up into the esophagus. This creates significant pressure within the stomach.Įventually small amounts of the stomach chyme passes through the pyloric sphincter into the duodenum. The strong muscle contractions also physically breaks up food in the stomach (mechanical digestion). This is essential for chemical digestion. Retrograde flow is prevented by the sphincter’s ability to remain contracted at a pressure that can withstand the forceful stomach contractions during digestion.Īs illustrated in the diagram above, stomach acid is constantly churned with food in the stomach. During swallowing, the muscles relax and the sphincter opens thereby allowing food and drink to pass from the esophagus into the stomach. The LES is further supported by the muscles of the diaphragm. It is a thickening of the muscular esophageal wall that remains contracted tonically to prevent reflux. The passage of contents between the stomach and esophagus is regulated by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). However, complications like esophageal ulcers may still occur with silent acid reflux. Instead vague symptoms like a morning sore throat or disturbed sleep may occur but is not immediately attributed to acid reflux. This means that the characteristic heartburn is not present and some people may not even experience associated symptoms like nausea. Silent acid reflux is an asymptomatic form of acid reflux. Acid reflux is one of the most common digestive complaints but can be easily remedied with a combination of diet and lifestyle changes as well as various medication.
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Nausea, loss of appetite and excessive belching are some of the other symptoms that also occur. We know this condition by the typical burning chest pain known as heartburn. Most of us experience acid reflux occasionally. Prolonged exposure to the stomach acid irritates or damages the lining of the esophagus ( esophagitis) and may even cause open sores known as esophageal ulcers. It is not uncommon for every healthy person to experience acid reflux occasionally but in certain cases, this retrograde flow may become persistent or recurrent. Acid reflux is the backward flow of the acidic stomach contents (food + acid + other secretions) up into the esophagus.