The lower esophageal sphincter is the most important in preventing Acid Reflux Disease. The LES closes off the passage of the esophagus into the stomach and prevents regurgitation of stomach liquids. The only time it may open is when food or saliva is passing from the esophagus into the stomach.
However, those diagnosed with Acid Reflux Disease have had noticeable abnormalities in the LES. One of these being weak contraction of the LES and the second being abnormal relaxations.
They do not accompany swallows and may last up to several minutes, allowing for acid reflux to occur more easily and may be a major contributing factor to Acid Reflux Disease.
However, a majority of patients with Acid Reflux Disease have hiatal hernias. Yet, it's not necessary to have a hiatal hernia in order to have Acid Reflux Disease. Many even have these hernias but not Acid Reflux Disease. Hiatal hernias contribute to Acid Reflux Disease in a number of ways. If you're having problems with acid refluxing, then I suggest asking your doctor to examine you for a hiatal hernia.
Another cause may be when esophageal contractions are defective and regurgitated acid is not pushed back into the stomach, which is usually responsible for pushing food, saliva, and whatever else is in the esophagus into the stomach.
20% of patients with Acid Reflux suffer because of stomachs that empty abnormally slow after a meal, prolonging the period of time in which reflux may occur, thus contributing to Acid Reflux Disease.
Symtpoms of Acid Reflux Disease include heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea.
Complications may include ulcers, strictures, asthma, throat, larynx, and long inflammation, among others.
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