Gastroesophageal Acid Reflux
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is seen in healthy people. GERD is thought to have a multifactorial etiology rather than a single cause. Contributing factors include the caustic materials that are refluxed, a breakdown in the defense mechanisms of the esophagus and a functional abnormality that results in reflux.
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Definition
Gastroesophageal reflux disease may be defined as symptoms or tissue damage caused by reflux of gastric contents with or without esophageal inflammation. However, this definition can blur the distinction between healthy people and those with GERD because a mild degree of esophageal reflux is considered physiologic. Other accepted definitions of GERD include reflux esophagitis identified by endoscopic examination and histologic esophagitis identified by examination of tissue samples.