Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Also called esophageal reflux, or heartburn.  It occurs when the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus is either weak or relaxes when it is not supposed to, allowing stomach acid to move back upwards.  Mild and infrequent GERD is treated with antacids.  Persistent GERD can eat away at the lining of the esophagus.  Severe cases are treated with fundoplication surgery, which tightens the esophagus sphincter muscle at its lower end.