Acid Reflux Relief: Mechanisms of acid reflux

The central mechanism in acid reflux disease is disturbed acid clearance. Acid is produced in the stomach, and as long as its rate of clearance from the stomach into the small intestine is normal, it will not accumulate in the stomach and reflux into the esophagus. An example of a disorder that hinders clearance of acid from the stomach is obstruction of its outlet resulting in an increased pressure inside the stomach.
At certain circumstances during daily activities some acid may normally regurgitate from the stomach into the esophagus. Again acid clearance back into the stomach is accomplished by gravity and the esophageal propulsive movement towards the stomach. Accordingly any disturbance of esophageal motility would affect its acid clearance mechanism.
Role of the lower esophageal sphincter:
The sphincter is anatomically configured and functionally organized to act like a valve allowing one way movement of swallowed substances from the esophagus into the stomach. anatomical disturbances such as Hiatal Hernia and functional disorders as incompetence or transient relaxation would favor acid reflux.
These are the main primary factors involved in causation and are mostly electromechanical.
Secondary factors actually operate after reflux and are meant to prevent esophagitis. They are mainly chemical and include saliva and the bicarbonate content of the glandular secretions on the inner surface of the esophagus.
All these factors should be well investigated when acid reflux relief is considered.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Mechanisms of acid reflux