Gastro-esophageal reflux, commonly known as acid reflux, is a very common disorder and affects more than 7 percent of the U.S. population. Acid reflux can occur in people of all ages, although most common in infants and young children. Unlike children, who rarely face long-term symptoms of acid reflux, adults usually suffer from recurrent forms of the disease. The diagnostic process is simple acid reflux and usually involves clinical examination. Patients reports of symptoms and physical indicators of acid reflux are usually sufficient to diagnose the disease. However, in special cases doctors can perform additional tests to confirm a presumptive clinical diagnosis.

The causes of acid reflux are varied and multiple natures. In most cases, chronic acid reflux disease is caused by physiological dysfunctions, on the premises of inappropriate activity of the lower esophageal sphincter or excessive pressure inside the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter is a ring-shaped muscular valve that normally acts as a barrier between the esophagus and stomach. Normally, this valve opens only during swallowing of food, otherwise remain closed. If the lower esophageal sphincter is weakened or compromised their integrity (due to physical trauma), stomach contents can easily be regurgitated into the esophagus and oral cavity.

Another common physiological cause of acid reflux is excessive pressure at the abdomen, pushing stomach contents upwards in the lining of the esophagus. This anomaly is more common in overweight people, smokers and pregnant women.

Many cases of acid reflux associated with hiatal hernia. Hiatal hernia usually occurs when the upper wall of the stomach moves above the diaphragm. Although this has not been confirmed, hiatus hernia is also seen as a cause of acid reflux. An interesting fact is that while most patients also suffer from acid reflux hiatal hernia, very few patients with hiatal hernia acid reflux eventually develop.

Drugs are also a cause of acid reflux disease. A wide variety of synthetic drugs can stimulate an overproduction of gastric acid in the stomach, which facilitates the occurrence of acid reflux. Other drugs produce relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter pressure or decrease the level of the esophagus.

Diet is also a major cause of acid reflux. Acids, irritating foods contribute greatly to the occurrence of acid reflux, causing an overproduction of stomach acid and causing relaxation of the esophageal valve. Poor dietary habits (binge eating, holidays) can also facilitate the occurrence of acid reflux. As a result, most acid reflux symptoms are experienced immediately after meals. Smoking and alcohol are also known to be the cause of acid reflux by interfering with the normal activity of the muscular esophageal valve.

The categories of persons likely to develop chronic forms of acid reflux disease are: pregnant women, obese people, smokers, alcoholics and people with other disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the high incidence of acid reflux in very young children and babies, these categories of patients are rarely faced with relapsing forms of the disease.

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