Gastroesophageal reflux disease develops as a result of gastrointestinal dysfunction leading to weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter tilt, which in normal conditions prevents the gastric contents from being shed into the esophagus. An additional influence on the development of this disease may have other factors such as, for example:
eating foods that lower the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (foods like chocolate, fat or fried dishes, mint drinking),
eating foods that irritate the mucous membrane of the esophagus (citrus fruits, spicy dishes),
a hernia of the esophageal diaphragm consisting in the invasion of the gastrointestinal part through the esophageal diaphragm,
smoking and alcohol abuse,
obesity,
pregnancy,
wearing tight clothing,
chest injuries,
taking medications that lower the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter (theophylline, calcium channel blockers, alpha-blockers, anticholinergics, intrats).
This heartburn is the most typical symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease. She suffers from her about 70-85 percent. patients. Many patients also suffer from acidity or bitterness in the mouth, bounce (usually acidic), painful swallowing, nausea and vomiting. Less common symptoms of reflux disease, which cause many diagnostic difficulties, are extra-oesophageal symptoms: pain in the chest or epigastrium suggestive of coronary pain, hoarseness, paroxysmal cough (nocturnal), bronchial hyperresponsiveness that results in bronchial asthma, sore throat and gingivitis.
Heartburn and pains usually increase after a meal, as well as in a lying position and last up to two hours. The patients feel a marked relief when taking a vertical posture or taking antacids. The most feared are chest pain associated with reflux, because it is often considered to be coronary or infarction pain. However, the pain of cardiac origin is caused by physical effort or emotions. However, in reflux disease, there is no such relationship between pain and physical activity.