By Irsan GaoGastresophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a syndrome due to structural or functional incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter, which permits retrograde flow of acidic gastric juice into the esophagus. The underlying abnormality in GERD is apparently inborn and irreversible and the incidence increases with ageChristian Louboutin Shoes
. In addition to reflux, most cases involve disordered gastric motility and prolonged gastric emptying time. Symptoms include recurring epigastric (area below the breastbone) and retrosternal (behind the sternum) distress, usually described as heartburn, along with varying degrees of belching, nausea, gagging, cough, or hoarseness. GERD is more common in men.

There are certain lifestyle factors that aggravate GERD. Most of these factors affect certain characteristics of the esophagus or the stomach. These factors may either reduce the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, directly irritate the esophageal mucosa, increase the intraabdominal pressure, promote reflux due to factors related to gravity, or affect the gastrointestinal tract in some mechanism that depends on a lot of factors and varies greatly from individual to individual. The latter, of course, pertains to emotional disturbances.

The LES is the musculature of the junction between the stomach and the esophagus which is tonically active except during swallowing and is responsible for preventing the reflux of food in the stomach towards the esophagusChristian Louboutin outlet
. Certain foods that lower the LES pressure include fats, sugar, chocolate, onions and coffee. Eating large meals also promote reflux. Smoking and alcoholism, the culprits of a wide array of diseases, also reduce the LES pressure. Medications that could lower the LES pressure include theophylline, anticholinergics, diazepam, nitrates, calcium channel blockers and even progesterone