GERD, or acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease stands for the condition when the liquid content of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. As a result this liquid evokes inflammation and damage of the esophagus lining. The main components of this liquid are acid and pepsin produced by the stomach. The former is considered very injurious as well as the latter (combined with bile) though not at such extent.

The condition of GERD is considered chronic as well as any kind of injury caused to the lining of the esophagus. The treatment usually bears indefinite character (in some cases it can be intermittent); but as soon as the illness can last through one’s life the therapy is required as well.

The reflux of the stomach’s liquid contents into the esophagus is a norm for both healthy people and patients with GERD, actually. The only difference is that in the case of GERD the liquid contains a much larger amount of acid that injures the lining and the reflux goes higher in the esophagus.

However, the organism is built in such a way that it creates defense from such harm as reflux and acid. Reflux mostly happens in the daytime when a person stays in an upright position and this makes the liquid go down back into the stomach (the effect of gravity). Swallow movements also assist in taking reflux back to the stomach. Also, a person’s saliva contains bicarbonate. When it goes down the esophagus bicarbonate neutralizes the acid.

Therefore there are three mechanisms of organism self-defense: gravity, swallowing, and saliva. The only drawback is that they are effective provided the person preserves upright position. Should a person go to sleep they do not work any more. Saliva is less produced, a person does not swallow and is not that much affected by gravity therefore letting reflux occur more often and acid damages the lining more.

There are some states that make GERD more probable. Pregnancy is among them as an increased hormone level and growing fetus evoke reflux in some way. Another condition is scleroderma, or connective tissue disease, that slackens the esophageal muscles can be a cause of GERD.