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You may be familiar with the term "GERD." Pharmaceutical companies advertise many different medications used to treat digestive disorders referred to as GERD. But GERD is different from occasional indigestion or heartburn, and common over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums or Rolaids, are not likely to provide relief. In fact, they can mask more serious underlying problems, such as Barrett's Esophagus.
How the System Works
There is no known cause for GERD, but the mechanics of the problem are well understood. When you eat, your food normally moves from your mouth through your esophagus to your stomach, where acids, enzymes and other secretions begin the process of breaking down your food into usable nutrients. Click here to a closer view of the digestive system.
A muscular band of tissue, called a sphincter, at the base of the esophagus, serves as a valve to resist any "back flow" of stomach contents between the stomach and esophagus. Even so, many people experience some back flow, called "reflux," especially after a large meal or with changes in body position. In many people, this reflux will result in little to no discomfort or only the occasional episode of heartburn or acid indigestion. However, for people with GERD, the valve that prevents back flow (the lower esophageal sphincter) essentially does not close properly, permitting chronic reflux of stomach contents.
In addition to causing significant discomfort, in many cases, gastroesophageal reflux disease also exposes the delicate lining of the esophagus to acidic stomach contents. Over time, this exposure can produce erosion of the esophageal lining, resulting in scarring and narrowing of the esophagus, called stricture, and in a small percentage of cases, a condition called Barrett's esophagus, a potentially pre-cancerous change in the cellular structure of the esophageal mucosa.
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