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GERDHelp.com

Your Acid Reflux Solutions Resource

  • What Is GERD
    • GERD Symptoms: Typical and Atypical
    • Causes of GERD
    • Hiatal Hernia and the TIF procedure
    • Diagnosis of GERD
  • Treatment Options
    • Diet and Lifestyle Changes
    • Medicines for GERD Treatment
    • Antireflux Surgery
  • TIF
    • Comparison of the TIF Procedure and Nissen Fundoplication
    • Is the TIF Procedure Right for You?
    • What to Expect Before, During, and After TIF Procedure
    • Clinical Results for the TIF Procedure
    • TIF Procedure Side Effects, Risks, and Complications: Safety Information For Potential Patients
    • Affording the TIF Procedure: Costs and Insurance Coverage
    • Frequently Asked Questions: TIF Surgery and the EsophyX Device to Treat GERD
  • Resources
    • Patient Stories
    • Frequently Asked Questions: TIF Surgery and the EsophyX Device to Treat GERD
    • GERD-HRQL: Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire
    • Questions for your Doctor: What to Ask About GERD Diagnosis and Treatment
    • Additional Reflux and GERD Resources
    • Glossary of Terminology
  • Blog
  • News
    • Media Coverage
    • Press Releases
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What Causes Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?

Causes of GERD: Reflux Chemistry and Anatomy

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) generally stems from just two underlying causes: those that have to do with reflux chemistry and those that stem from anatomical dysfunction.

Chemical causes of GERD can include:

  • fluids refluxed from the stomach irritating or damaging the esophagus
  • general sensitivity of esophageal tissue, often caused by natural low acid intolerance, use of prescription drugs or other drugs as alcohol and tobacco

Most of the time, however, GERD can be attributed to a patient’s own anatomy.

The biology of swallowing, for healthy patients, is simple. When a person with normal, healthy anatomy swallows, the valve between the esophagus and the stomach (gastroesophageal valve) opens. This allows food to pass. The valve then closes to prevent stomach contents from backwashing or refluxing back up into the esophagus. A normal, healthy valve serves as an effective antireflux barrier and experts consider it the most important factor in preventing GERD.

For people with GERD, this valve becomes dysfunctional and does not close appropriately. This allows abnormal amounts of both acidic and non-acidic fluids to backwash into the esophagus and causes GERD.

For people with GERD, this valve becomes dysfunctional and does not close appropriately. This allows abnormal amounts of both acidic and non-acidic fluids to backwash into the esophagus.

What Causes the Gastroesophageal Valve to Become Dysfunctional?

Any one of the following factors, or a combination of these factors, can result in disruption of the gastroesophageal valve and abnormal exposure of the esophagus to acid reflux:

  • Genetic: Anatomy varies from person to person. Some people naturally have valves that function less competently than others.
  • Injury to the upper chest: Often the result of a sports-related injury or a traumatic accident, these incidents can cause the valve to lose its shape.
  • Obesity or diet related issues: Excess weight can cause distortion of normal anatomy.
  • Age: As people age, musculature can lose its integrity and affect the anatomy in the esophagus and stomach area.

A GERD diagnosis from a qualified physician can help you identify the cause of your GERD. Knowing the cause can also help you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for a TIF procedure to treat your GERD.

If you suffer any symptoms of reflux more than twice a week, you may have chronic acid reflux. Take the GERD-HRQL survey and bring the results to a doctor for a GERD evaluation.

causes of GERD

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About GERD

  • What Is GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)?
  • GERD Symptoms: Signs of Acid Reflux Disease
  • What Causes Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
  • Hiatal Hernia and the TIF procedure
  • Diagnosis of GERD: How Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is Diagnosed

Treatments

  • Treatment Options for GERD
  • Treating GERD with Diet and Lifestyle Changes
  • Medications for GERD Treatment
  • Antireflux Surgery: Types of Fundoplication

Tif Procedure

  • TIF Procedure: Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication Surgery
  • Comparison of the TIF Procedure and Nissen Fundoplication
  • Is the TIF Procedure Right for You?
  • What to Expect Before, During, and After TIF Procedure
  • Clinical Results for the TIF Procedure
  • TIF Procedure Side Effects, Risks, and Complications: Safety Information For Potential Patients
  • Affording the TIF Procedure: Costs and Insurance Coverage
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

  • Patient Resources
  • Patient Stories
  • Frequently Asked Questions: TIF Surgery and the EsophyX Device to Treat GERD
  • GERD-HRQL: Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire
  • Questions for your Doctor: What to Ask About GERD Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Additional Reflux and GERD Resources
  • Glossary of Terminology

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  • Media Coverage
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This site is published by EndoGastric Solutions, Inc., and is intended as an information resource to help increase awareness of GERD-related disorders and the available treatment options. This site is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The contents of the site are for informational purposes only and are intended to be discussed with your physician. Never disregard any advice given to you by your physician or other qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of a physician or other licensed healthcare professional regarding any questions you have about your medical conditions and treatments.

© 2016 EndoGastric Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. EndoGastric, EsophyX, SerosaFuse and TIF names and logos, are registered trademarks of EndoGastric Solutions.
All other product names and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
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©2018 Copyright GERDHelp.com · All Rights Reserved.
  • What is GERD
    • Overview
    • GERD Symptoms: Signs of Acid Reflux Disease
    • What Causes Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)?
    • Hiatal Hernia and the TIF procedure
    • Diagnosis of GERD: How Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is Diagnosed
  • GERD Treatment Options
    • Overview
    • Treating GERD with Diet and Lifestyle Changes
    • Medications for GERD Treatment
    • Antireflux Surgery: Types of Fundoplication
  • TIF Procedure: Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication Surgery
    • Overview
    • Comparison of the TIF Procedure and Nissen Fundoplication
    • Is the TIF Procedure Right for You?
    • What to Expect Before, During, and After TIF Procedure
    • Clinical Results for the TIF Procedure
    • TIF Procedure Side Effects, Risks, and Complications: Safety Information For Potential Patients
    • Affording the TIF Procedure: Costs and Insurance Coverage
    • Frequently Asked Questions: TIF Surgery and the EsophyX Device to Treat GERD
  • Patient Resources
    • Patient Stories
    • Frequently Asked Questions: TIF Surgery and the EsophyX Device to Treat GERD
    • GERD-HRQL: Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire
    • Questions for your Doctor: What to Ask About GERD Diagnosis and Treatment
    • Additional Reflux and GERD Resources
    • Glossary of Terminology
  • Blog
  • News
    • Media Coverage
    • Press Releases
  • Contact Us
  • Physician Locator