Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

This information was reviewed and approved by Jeffrey B. King, MD

Each time you eat, stomach acids are released. Normally the lower esophageal sphincter acts as a guard to prevent stomach acids from backing up into the esophagus. An increase of the pressure in the stomach and/or relaxation of the muscle tone of the sphincter may cause reflux to occur.

Factors that cause an increase in pressure are:

Full stomach
Obesity
Lying down
Bending forward
Pregnancy
Tight clothing.

Factors that loosen the muscle tone of the valve can be caused by:

Pregnancy
Nicotine
Alcohol, coffee, tea,
Chocolate
Mint
Fatty foods.

Clinical Trials

For more than 100 years, National Jewish Health has been committed to finding new treatments and cures for diseases. Search our clinical trials.