Gastrointestinal Disease

Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, commonly known as GERD (which is short for gastroesophageal reflux disease), is a condition affecting lots of people. It occurs when stomach acid used for digestion repeatedly backs up, or refluxes, into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is located at the bottom of the esophagus, creates a barrier between the stomach and esophagus.

If the LES doesn't close tightly enough or relaxes too often, powerful stomach acid can repeatedly back up into the esophagus. Unlike the stomach, which has a special lining protecting it from the acid, the esophagus is more sensitive to stomach acid and, with repeated exposure, may become irritated and eventually damaged.

The result of this exposure may be the painful, burning feeling often called heartburn.

Heartburn

Heartburn is often described as a burning sensation in the chest. Some people also get an acidic, bitter taste in their mouths. Heartburn is caused by the backup of stomach acid into the esophagus.

Ulcers

A peptic ulcer is a sore on the lining of the stomach (gastric) or on a part of the small intestine called the duodenum (duodenal). It is a very common condition.

Ulcers were once thought to be the product of too much stress or too much spicy food. It is now known that a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), is responsible for many peptic ulcers, which can be very painful.

Ulcers can also be caused by, among other things, the use of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are some of the most widely used drugs. NSAIDs can irritate the stomach and possibly cause ulcers.

Symptoms of ulcers vary based on the type of ulcer. When symptoms are present, they may include abdominal pain or discomfort, which is described as a dull, gnawing ache or burning that comes and goes for several days or weeks.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
Quebec Association of Gastroenterologists
Dedicated to advancing the study of the digestive tract in health and disease.