Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD is a chronic disease in which food or liquid contents from the stomach (gastric contents) regurgitate as reflux to the esophagus. Some degree of back-flow of gastric or duodenal contents into the esophagus is normal in both adults and children but excessive reflux occurs due to incompetent lower esophageal sphincter (LES) or the opening from the esophagus going to the stomach. GERD can also be caused by pyloric stenosis, or motility disorder wherein the gastric emptying time of the stomach contents to the duodenum is slower than the normal. GERD can also be caused by impaired digestion and infection such as peptic ulcer. Gastroesophageal reflux disease can be transient or permanent in nature. Continue reading →