What Is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) describes a backflow of acid from the stomach into the swallowing tube or esophagus. Almost everyone experiences gastroesophageal reflux at some time. The usual symptom is heartburn, an uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone, most commonly occurring after a meal. In some individuals this reflux is frequent or severe enough to cause more significant problems - a disease.

Thus, gastroesophageal reflux disease is a clinical condition that occurs when reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus is severe enough to impact the patient's life and/or damage the esophagus.

GERD is caused by reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. In most patients this is due to a transient relaxation of the "gate" or sphincter that keeps the lower end of the esophagus closed when a person is not swallowing food or liquids. The esophagus is not able to cope with acid as well as the stomach and is easily injured. It's the acid refluxing into the esophagus that produces the symptoms and potentially damages the esophagus.

Spicy foods (or a greasy meal) do not cause GERD, although they do seem to worsen GERD symptoms in some people. Food (in general) can make GERD worse. This is because food fills the stomach and induces more transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter. In addition, all meals stimulate acid production in the stomach to aid digestion and can increase reflux into the esophagus in GERD sufferers. Often they are told to avoid certain foods whether or not these foods have anything to do with their symptoms. In this way, many GERD sufferers end up on a very restricted diet or end up blaming their symptoms on dietary indiscretion. If avoiding spicy foods and/or other dietary advice helps, that's great. If it doesn't, GERD sufferers shouldn't feel that they are doing something wrong. They should seek medical advice on managing their disease.

Happy eating and good luck until next time.

Welcome to all Reflux/Heartburn sufferers,

My name is Elmari & I live in the countryside in South Africa. After much consideration I've decided to use my cousin, Kim,
as a guinea pig/case study for this web blog. Apart from trying to lose weight myself (that might be my next project), I thought of helping Kim to learn more about her reflux problem. She is currently on medication for 3 months. She also suffers from heavy migraines and has cronic ear infection with a hole in her right ear drum. Interesting enough we discovered a connection between the latter mentioned illnesses and reflux, but more detail about this later.

I would like your feedback and also am planning on distributing a free weekly recipe via e-mail (let me know if you are interested - elmari1@hotmail.com).

Reflux or Heartburn sufferers

Background:

In America more than 60 million people suffer from acid reflux disease.

The secret to limiting your heartburn problems lies in knowing what foods are bad for you and learning to limit or substitute these.

Heartburn causing foods come in two varieties…
1. Those that cause an increase in stomach acid

2. Those that relax the esophageal sphincter