GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease affects millions of people eachyear. This catch-all term encompasses a wide array of complaintsranging from �acidic stomach�, belching, nausea, bloating, distention,heartburn, hoarseness, esophagitis, gastritis, acid reflux, andasthma-like symptoms.
If you look in a medical encyclopediathat is only a few years old you will not find the word GERD or theterm �Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease�. However you can break thephrase up into separate words and find the definition for each.
GASTROESOPHAGEAL - Pertaining to the stomach or the esophagus.
REFLUX - A backward flow; regurgitation.
DISEASE - Any interruption of the normal function of any body organ, part, or system that presents an abnormal state.
In other words you have an abnormal function of the stomach or esophagus that is causing reflux.
Indigestion and belching would be considered an abnormal function ofthe stomach and can make a person feel out-of-sorts or not feeling sowell for a short time. If a condition is only temporary how can themedical community label it as a disease? The truth of the matter is, itcannot be classified as a disease, because it is a condition that canbe corrected once you find the root cause.
Belching andindigestion are natural functions of the human body and they happen toevery person on the planet without exception, at one time or another.
The stomach is approximately 10 to 12 inches long and approximately 5inches wide. It holds between 2 and 3 pints of liquid and when food ordrink enter our stomach it displaces the liquid contents and the levelof liquid rises, which increases stomach pressure.
Theincreased stomach pressure is now exerting even more pressure on theLower Esophageal Sphincter valve. This increase in pressure will forcethe Lower Esophageal Sphincter valve open and allow the reflux ofacidic stomach gases to enter the esophagus.
The esophagus orfeeding tube is approximately 10 inches long and about 1 inch wide andtends to expand when these stomach gases reflux into it. This willcause chest pressure and can even radiate to your left arm or yourback. When the acidic stomach gases are present in your esophagus youmight also experience a feeling of a lump in your throat near theAdam�s apple. This is referred to as Globus Sensation and is quicklyrelieved once the gases overcome the Upper Esophageal Sphincter andallow you to belch.
If you feel pain or a burning sensation inthe chest cavity when these gases enter the esophagus it is anindication that you have some esophageal damage. This damage is usuallyin the form of tiny cuts or lesions to the delicate cells of theesophagus, however it can be corrected within 3 or 4 days byeliminating some foods that are causing the problems.
WilliamLagadyn is a medical researcher and was the first person to unravel themysteries of heartburn and acid reflux problems. His natural healingmethods were first discovered over 20 years ago, and since that time hehas helped 1000's of people completely solve their digestive problems.For more information on how to solve your digestive problems such asheartburn, acid reflux or GERD without the use of potentially dangerousdrugs forever, please visit his website at
www.cureyourheartburn.com Copyright 2006-2007
What is G.E.R.D.? 
Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:46 am