What is GERD? Gastroesophageal reflux, often referred to as GERD, occurs when acid from the stomach backs up into the esophagus.
Normally, food travels from the mouth, down through the esophagus and into the stomach. When stomach acid touches the sensitive tissue lining the esophagus and throat, it causes a reaction similar to squirting lemon juice in your eye.
This is why GERD is often characterized by the burning sensation known as heartburn. Almost all individuals have experienced reflux GER , but the disease GERD occurs when reflux happens on a frequent basis often over a long period of time. During gastroesophageal reflux, the acidic stomach contents may reflux all the way up the esophagus, beyond the upper esophageal sphincter a ring of muscle at the top of the esophagus , and into the back of the throat and possibly the back of the nasal airway.
This is known as laryngopharyngeal reflux LPR , which can affect anyone. In infants and children, LPR may cause breathing problems such as: cough, hoarseness, stridor noisy breathing , croup, asthma, sleep disordered breathing, feeding difficulty spitting up , turning blue cyanosis , aspiration, pauses in breathing apnea , apparent life threatening event ALTE , and even a severe deficiency in growth.
Proper treatment of LPR, especially in children, is critical. The symptoms of GERD may include persistent heartburn, acid regurgitation, nausea, hoarseness in the morning, or trouble swallowing. Some people have GERD without heartburn. Instead, they experience pain in the chest that can be severe enough to mimic the pain of a heart attack.
