What is Acid Reflux?

The medical name for Acid Reflux (commonly referred to as Heartburn) is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Each one of us has at some time or the other experienced a burning sensation at the back of our throat or in our chest, especially after a very heavy meal. When the acid in our stomach flows back into the food pipe, also called as the esophagus (the pipe through which food travels from our mouth to the stomach), it causes the burning sensation. That condition is called GERD or Acid Reflux. 

The stomach and the food pipe are separated through a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (or LES). Our stomach has a cocktail of very strong acids, enzymes and bile juice that help in digesting food. It is LES that prevents the acid, enzymes and the other fluids from entering the food pipe. During Acid Reflux this valve does not close properly, allowing the acid and contents of the stomach to enter the food pipe at inappropriate times. Of all the other contents, it is acid that causes the maximum damage. When the acid touches the lining of the food pipe it causes a burning sensation. Sometimes the acid flows all the way back into the throat. When that happens you can even taste the acid at the back your mouth. 

Nature has a way pf preventing this acid from escaping from our stomach. When we are in an upright position, then thanks to gravity, the refluxed acid quickly flows back into the stomach without causing too much damage. Then there is the saliva in our mouth, which contains bicarbonates that help in neutralizing acid. When we swallow, the saliva from our mouth neutralizes and pushes the acid back into the stomach. This prevents it from attacking the sensitive lining of the esophagus. 

But when we are lying down, or sleeping, the effects of gravity, swallowing and saliva are no longer at work. Therefore the acid that leaks from the stomach at nighttime stays in the esophagus for a longer time and can be harmful. Which is why it is always advised that we eat light meals, especially for dinner, and that there should be a gap of at least one hour from the time we eat our dinner to the time we hit the bed. 

Heartburn is a very common occurrence during pregnancy. Pregnant women are quite prone to acid reflux due to the elevated hormone levels in the blood as well as due to the growing baby that increases the pressure in the abdominal area. But there are some individuals who are more prone to the symptoms of Acid Reflux than others. These individuals have weak esophageal muscles that are unable to control the reflux. 

Although it is a common phenomenon, if left untreated Acid Reflux can become a chronic disease. The harmful acid can cause permanent and life long harm to the sensitive tissues lining the esophagus.