GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or chronic acid reflux) is a condition in which acid-containing contents in your stomach persistently leak back up into your oesophagus, the tube from your throat to your stomach.

Acid reflux happens because a valve at the end of your oesophagus, the lower oesophageal sphincter, doesn’t close properly when food arrives at your stomach. Acid backwash then flows back up through your oesophagus into your throat and mouth, giving you a sour taste.

Causes acid reflux:

Acid reflux is caused by weakness or relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (valve). Normally this valve closes tightly after food enters your stomach. If it relaxes when it shouldn’t, your stomach contents rise back up into the esophagus.Stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus, causing reflux.

Factors that can lead to this include:

• Too much pressure on the abdomen. Some pregnant women experience heartburn almost daily because of this increased pressure.
• Particular types of food (for example, dairy, spicy or fried foods) and eating habits.
• Medications that include medicines for asthma, high blood pressure and allergies; as well as painkillers, sedatives and anti-depressants.
• A hiatal hernia. The upper part of the stomach bulges into the diaphragm, getting in the way of normal intake of food.

Symptoms of GERD:

Different people are affected in different ways by GERD. The most common symptoms are:

• Heartburn.
• Regurgitation (food comes back into your mouth from the esophagus).
• The feeling of food caught in your throat.
• Coughing.
• Chest pain.
• Problem swallowing.
• Vomiting.
• Sore throat and hoarseness.