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Acid Reflux (Heartburn) Reality

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What Is Acid Reflux? Acid reflux disease , also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, occurs due to the coexistence of two medical conditions. The first acid reflux disease contributing condition is a retrograde flow of stomach contents into the esophagus . However, the reflux itself does not necessarily lead to gastro-esophageal reflux disease symptoms or histologic changes and can occur among healthy individuals as well. In this case, the process is referred to as "physiologic gastroesophageal reflux" . The second acid reflux disease predisposing condition is a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) malfunction . The LES is a 3-cm to the 4-cm ring of muscle, which is two to three times thicker than the proximal esophagus and acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach . In the case of acid reflux disease, the LES does not close perfectly and stomach contents splash up into the esophagus. When pathologic symptoms follow this process, the who