Esophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD; or GORD when spelling œsophageal, the BrE form) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux in the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. This can be due to incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), transient LES relaxation, impaired expulsion of gastric reflux from the esophagus, or a hiatal hernia.
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Noun
1. reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus
(synonym) gastroesophageal reflux, oesophageal reflux
(hypernym) reflux

A condition wherein stomach contents regurgitate or back up (reflux) into the esophagus (a long cylindrical tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach). The food in the stomach is partially digested by stomach acid and enzymes. Normally, the partially digested acid content in the stomach is delivered by the stomach muscle into the small intestine for further digestion. In esophageal reflux, stomach acid content refluxes backwards up into the esophagus, occasionally reaching the breathing passages, causing inflammation and damage to the esophagus, as well as to the lung and larynx (the voice box). The process is medically termed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 10% of patients with GERD develop a Barrett’s esophagus which can increase the risk of cancer of the esophagus.

The backward flow of stomach acid contents into the esophagus (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach). Also called gastroesophageal reflux or gastric reflux.