GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is most commonly known as “heartburn”. It refers to the back flow of gastric or duodenal contents or both into the esophagus and past the lower esophageal sphincter, without associated belching or vomiting. The reflux of gastric contents causes acute epigastric pain, usually after a meal. Common causes are: food, alcohol, or cigarettes, hiatal hernia, increased abdominal pressure (such as with obesity or pregnancy), medications, nasogastric intubation for more than four days, and a weakened esophageal sphincter. Typically, the LES maintains enough pressure around the lower end of the esophagus to close it and prevent reflux. The sphincter relaxes after each swallow to allow food into the stomach. In GERD,
