Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Gastro esophageal reflux disease is also known as GERD. It is a long term condition where stomach contents come back up into the esophagus. Resulting in either symptoms or complications. Symptoms include the taste of acid in the back of the mouth, heartburn, bad breath, chest pain, vomiting, breathing problems and wearing away of the teeth complications includes oesophagitis, esophageal strictures and Barrett’s esophagus. Recent studies have demonstrated that peripheral and central factors are pivotal for the emergence of symptoms after gastroesphageal reflux had occurs supporting the view the GERD is a sensory -motor disorder rather than motor disorder alone. The primary pathophysiologic event in GERD is the movement of acid, pepsin and other injurious substance from the stomach in to the esophagus. GERD is a common problem world-wide, the frequency and severity of GERD and severity of GERD and its complications such as burette’s esophagus and geographic variations. most studies from India suggests that these might be less in the Indian population on the other hand studies in a multiethnic population showed that people of Indian origin are at higher risk of GERD than ethnic Malay of Chinese.