Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD is a digestive system disorder caused due to the disorder of the gastroesophageal ring, causing a backlog of the gastric enzymes into the esophagus resulting in irritation to the inner lining of the esophagus. The backlog of the gastric juices often in the esophagus causes frequent heartburn and discomfort.
Causes:
GERD is caused because of the weakness of the gastroesophageal ring causing regurgitation of food from the stomach to the esophagus. The following reasons are known to cause GERD:
- Increase in the abdominal cavity mainly due to obesity or pregnancy.
- Certain medicines like:
- Sedatives
- Pain killers
- Medicines used to treat asthma
- Medicines used to treat hypertension.
- Smoking tobacco, even passive smokers are also at higher risk of developing this condition.
- Hiatal hernia also causes GERD as it causes the upper part of the abdomen to move into the chest, thus lowering the pressure of the oesophageal sphincter.
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